Ohio Lawmakers Propose Bill to Increase Penalties for Drivers Who Hit Crossing Guards

The proposed legislation is a direct response to a News Center 7 I-Team investigation that found hundreds of crossing guard accidents with little consequence for drivers.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Ohio state representatives Tom Young and Andrea White have introduced a bill in the state legislature that would increase criminal penalties for drivers who hit crossing guards. This comes after a News Center 7 I-Team investigation found hundreds of cases across the country where drivers faced little punishment for hitting crossing guards trying to protect children on their way to and from school.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation aims to better protect children in and around crosswalks by holding drivers more accountable when they fail to yield to crossing guards. The News Center 7 investigation found that in over 70% of crossing guard accident cases, drivers faced only traffic tickets or no consequences at all, despite the risks posed to public safety.

The details

The new bill would increase criminal penalties in Ohio for drivers who hit crossing guards. This comes after the News Center 7 I-Team investigation, which documented more than 225 crossing guard accidents in the last decade and found that in over 70% of those cases, drivers faced little to no punishment.

  • The News Center 7 I-Team investigation was conducted over several months.
  • The proposed legislation was introduced in the Ohio House last week.
  • A press conference announcing the bill is scheduled for Tuesday morning at the Ohio Statehouse.

The players

Tom Young

Ohio state representative who introduced the crossing guard safety bill.

Andrea White

Ohio state representative who introduced the crossing guard safety bill.

Becky Evans

Crossing guard who was hit by a driver and suffered injuries, advocating for tougher state laws.

Alea Carter

Huber Heights parent who supports the proposed legislation to increase penalties for drivers who hit crossing guards.

Tracey Nesko

Tipp City parent who believes crossing guards deserve more protection and that drivers should be more conscious of their safety.

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What they’re saying

“I also hope that the state of Ohio will see this woman got a $48 fine for hitting me.”

— Becky Evans, Crossing guard (WHIO-TV)

“I think it would be useful. We have to think about the lives, and we want to make sure everybody is safe and that there are consequences when something goes wrong.”

— Alea Carter, Huber Heights parent (WHIO-TV)

“They're out there doing a service for our children and trying to keep them safe so we can at least be conscious of what they're doing and keep them safe too.”

— Tracey Nesko, Tipp City parent (WHIO-TV)

What’s next

A press conference announcing the new crossing guard safety bill is scheduled for Tuesday morning at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. News Center 7 will be in attendance to cover the announcement.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation is a direct response to the troubling findings of the News Center 7 I-Team investigation, which revealed that drivers who hit crossing guards often face little to no consequences, despite the risks posed to public safety. The new bill aims to better protect children in and around crosswalks by holding drivers more accountable for failing to yield to crossing guards.