Columbus to host public hearing to address reckless driving

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus City Council’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee will hold a public hearing next week to address reckless driving in Columbus. 

Hosted by councilmembers Emmanuel Remy and Shayla Favor, the hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and will seek public opinion on proposed changes to the street racing provision of the city code. The changes would be intended to address the increase in stunt driving, reckless operation and street takeovers that have become more frequent in Columbus and across Ohio. 

Last year, a “hostile street takeover” on Indianola Ave. drew hundreds of participants and ended in a shootout with police. One month prior, another man died after a street racing accident. 

The hearing is one of several attempts to combat reckless driving in Ohio. Ohio House Bill 56 is headed to the governor’s desk and would increase penalties for fleeing from police and participating in stunt driving, including donuts, wheelies and allowing a passenger to ride while not fully in the vehicle. The bill would increase penalties and classify stunt driving as a first-degree misdemeanor, with those found guilty risking a license suspension anywhere from 30 days to three years. 

The hearing will take place in the Columbus City Council chambers at 90 W. Broad St. People can also tune in via livestream on the council’s YouTube or Facebook. Anyone interested in providing written or public testimony can do so by emailing remyscheduling@columbus.gov by 3 p.m. on July 11.