(A) The director of public safety, pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules for the equipment of snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, and all-purpose vehicles. The rules may be revised from time to time as the director considers necessary, and shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, requirements for the following items of equipment:
(1) At least one headlight having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and objects at a distance of at least one hundred feet ahead under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness;
(2) At least one red tail light having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to be plainly visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear under normal atmospheric conditions during hours of darkness;
(3) Adequate brakes. Every snowmobile, while traveling on packed snow, shall be capable of carrying a driver who weighs one hundred seventy-five pounds or more, and, while carrying such driver, be capable of stopping in not more than forty feet from an initial steady speed of twenty miles per hour, or locking its traction belt.
(4) A muffler system capable of precluding the emission of excessive smoke or exhaust fumes, and of limiting the engine noise of vehicles. On snowmobiles manufactured after January 1, 1973, such requirement shall include sound dampening equipment such that noise does not exceed eighty-two decibels on the "A" scale at fifty feet as measured according to SAE J192 (September 1970).
(B) No person shall operate any snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle in violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section, except that equipment specified in divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section shall not be required on snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles, or all-purpose vehicles operated during the daylight hours.
(C) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (B) of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars. If the offender within the preceding year previously has committed a violation of division (B) of this section, whoever violates division (B) of this section shall be fined not less than fifteen nor more than one hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than three days, or both.
Effective Date: 01-01-2004