COLUMBUS — A bill sponsored by State Representatives Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Andrea White (R-Kettering) to make the streets of Ohio safer by increasing penalties for street takeover, reckless driving and fleeing law enforcement passed out of the Ohio House Wednesday.

Recently, the phenomenon of so-called “hooning” has been plaguing metropolitan areas across Ohio as dozens of cars descend on city streets to dangerously take over intersections and perform reckless stunts as hundreds of citizens watch close by.

House Bill 56 adds “stunt driving” to the definition of street racing to address the problem of donuts, burnouts, drifting, wheelies, and tire-squealing on Ohio’s public roadways, while increasing penalties for drivers fleeing from law enforcement with motor vehicles and after committing felonies.

The bill also specifies that those who knowingly participate in street takeovers through activities such as blocking or impeding the regular flow of vehicles or pedestrians for the purpose of street racing or stunt driving, be charged the same as those participating in the vehicles.

“This bill will help restore law and order back on our roadways,” said Plummer. “It will hold violators accountable for reckless behavior and increase penalties for individuals who flee from the police.”

“Ohio cities are experiencing an Internet-fueled craze of reckless driving and street takeovers that have already injured lives, terrorized citizens, damaged property and wasted precious law enforcement time and dollar that could be spent protecting and responding to other crises throughout our communities,” said White.

“Our local law enforcement asked for more tools to respond and protect citizens, and this bill is the first steps toward addressing these concerns to help keep our communities safe,” White added.

The legislation will impose a fourth-degree felony for willfully eluding or fleeing a police officer using a motor vehicle or a third-degree felony if the flight is immediately after commission of a felony. Additionally, it will authorize the seizure or forfeiture of the vehicle used to commit the offenses.

The bill will also require that a law enforcement entity consider pursuit policy standards and best practice recommendations from the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board or similar accrediting entity, and to train its peace officers on the policy.

The legislation will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.