COLUMBUS, Ohio (WMCH) – Drivers caught traveling 30 mph or more over the speed limit on Ohio roads could face an additional fine on top of a ticket if a recently introduced bill becomes law. 

House Bill 111, introduced in February by Reps. Kevin Miller (R-Newark) and Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria), would tack $200 onto any existing ticket or penalty for drivers caught traveling at least 30 mph over the speed limit.

“The goal of House Bill 111 is to deter the most egregious speeding offenses which not only place the offender at risk but equally affects the safety of the motoring public,” Miller said.

The cost of speeding fines in Ohio varies between jurisdictions, but tickets can cost hundreds of dollars with additional court fees. Under state law, penalties also increase if the speeding happens in a school zone, construction zone, or if the driver is a repeat offender. 

Currently, in Franklin County, the typical fine for those traveling up to 20 mph over the speed limit is $155, the fine for speeding 21-25 mph over the limit is $177, the fine for speeding 26-29 mph over the limit is $202, and the fine for speeding 30 mph or more over the limit is $227. Under the bill, Franklin County drivers ticketed for traveling 30 mph or more over the speed limit could face fines of $427 or more, depending on multiple factors.

The legislation states if the court determines an offender cannot afford the additional fee, it can be waived. 

“Fatal car crashes happen much more often when people are driving at reckless speeds such as 30 mph over the speed limit,” Creech said. “This legislation simply seeks to give our law enforcement the tools to make our streets safer.”

Under current law, being caught driving 30 mph or more over the speed limit also results in an offender receiving four points on their driver’s license. Racking up 12 points in two years results in a six-month license suspension. 

In 2024, there were 27,224 speed-related crashes in the state and 318 of them were fatal, according to statistics from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The patrol reported there were 250,042 crashes total last year.

So far this year, from Jan. 1 through March 9, there have been 6,065 speed-related crashes in the state — including 27 that were fatal — out of 43,118 total. Additionally, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has issued 1,337 tickets for driving more than 30 mph over the speed limit, which equates to 4% of all 33,940 speeding tickets issued.

HB 111 was assigned to the House’s Public Safety Committee, where it awaits its first hearing. It currently has one Democrat and three Republican cosponsors.