Hooning, stunt driving set to be illegal under bill awaiting governor’s signature

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — A bill sponsored by a local representative that would crack down on illegal stunt driving on public streets has made its way through the Ohio Statehouse and now looks for the governor’s signature.

House Bill 56, sponsored by Rep. Phil Plummer, would make burnouts, donuts and drifting illegal on any public road. It would also outlaw allowing passengers to ride while hanging out of the window.

Takeovers of public streets would also be included, making participants vulnerable to criminal penalties. The bill also expands the guidelines for officers to engage in vehicle pursuits.

Many of the people 2 NEWS spoke with Friday said they want to see this bill become law for their own safety, citing the illegal stunts and speeding as factors that make driving scary.

Stephanie Buechly, a local Dayton resident, said she sees illegal races behind her home too often. She believes that without harsher consequences, these crimes aren’t likely to stop.

“Why are they doing it behind our houses in the middle of the night?” asked Buechly. “It doesn’t make any sense when they have places to be able to do that.”

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