Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The village of Oak Harbor will hold the third reading on Monday, Dec. 1 of Proposed Ordinance 15-2025, which would create a civil, photo-based enforcement tool for speeding violations in school zones.
The village is encouraging residents to share feedback on whether this approach is the right fit for Oak Harbor.
A village speed study conducted during the first week of the 2024-25 school year recorded more than 1,000 drivers traveling at least 10 mph over the limit during school-zone hours (7:15 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
As part of the village’s comprehensive planning, a Safe Routes to School (SRS) study also identified State Route 163 and Benton Street near Oak Harbor High School as a significant barrier to students walking to school.
“I think the idea that kids should be able to walk to school safely is nearly universal in Oak Harbor,” Oak Harbor mayor Quinton Babcock said. “With help from an ODOT grant, we conducted a comprehensive study of how to make walking to school safer in Oak Harbor, and speeding is a major barrier. While I don’t think many people are a fan of speed cameras, I know that all residents agree that traveling 10 miles over the speed limit in an active school zone is inexcusable.”
The proposal is part of a broader Safe Routes to School strategy which focuses on engineering, education, encouragement, and enforcement. The village has applied for additional SRS funding to expand pedestrian infrastructure and improve connectivity near Oak Harbor High School, making walking routes safer and more comfortable.
The community’s School Travel Plan also highlighted safety challenges near the high school and along SR 163, citing both excessive speeds and sidewalk gaps as key obstacles for families.
Though the ordinance would authorize use of photo enforcement in all posted school zones, the only site currently under consideration is the Oak Harbor High School area along SR 163, where families and the SRS study identified the most significant pedestrian-safety issues. The SR 163/Benton/Oak area in particular experiences heavy traffic, higher speeds and incomplete sidewalks.
If adopted, photo-monitoring would operate only in clearly marked school-zone locations and only during designated active school-zone hours. Violations would be treated as civil matters and will not result in BMV points or entries on a driving record.
Registered vehicle owners would receive a mailed notice with images and clear options to pay, identify another responsible party, or contest the citation in Ottawa County Municipal Court.
Village council continues to evaluate the proposal to allow for public comment and deliberation. Residents are encouraged to attend the council meeting or email feedback to qbabcock@oakharbor.oh.us
