Ohio Chapter, National Motorists Association

State Activists' Page

I, Duke P. Ganote, am a licensed professional engineer in Ohio. I also volunteer my spare time as Ohio Legislative Director in the National Motorists Association (NMA). I've been involved in NMA over a decade.
Recent activities included

November 23, 1999 letter to City of Beavercreek, Ohio notifying them that the posted 50-mph speed limit on a portion of US 35 is illegal in my opinion. I used this road at least weekly on the way to church. The 55-mph limit was extended to the Patterson Road intersection in summer 2000. This was probably my last NMA-related action in the area, as I am no longer a Dayton area resident.

Oct 27, 1999 testimony opposing speeding-point portions of Ohio Senate Bill 176 before the Ohio Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, which is examining Ohio's traffic penalties. Sen. Oelslager's SB 176 was supposed to reflect the recommendations of the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission, but there was miscommunication somewhere. As introduced, SB 176 proposes 4-point penalties for exceeding fast (55-mph or higher) speed limits by more than 10-mph. In fact, David Diroll of the Commission stated that the actual recommendation was 4-points for more than 30-mph over any posted limit. Obviously the Commission didn't spend much time on speeding penalties, because the Commission self-admittedly didn't address existing provisions for automatic 4^th degree (instead of minor) misdemeanors in certain circumstances. 4^th degree misdemeanors require court appearances, and automatically apply in cases like exceeding 50-mph in a municipality - a provision that apparently applies even on 65-mph freeways!

March 10, 1999 testimony against Automated Red Light Enforcement. The clout of Rep. Robert Corbin got this through the House, but it seems to have died in the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee. It's disturbing that it even got that far.

March 9, 1999 hearing/ letter of support for Uniform Car/Truck Speed Limits to the Ohio House Transportation Committee.
November 23, 1999 letter to City of Beavercreek, Ohio notifying them that the posted 50-mph speed limit on a portion of US 35 is illegal in my opinion. I used this road at least weekly on the way to church. The 55-mph limit was extended to the Patterson Road intersection in summer 2000. This was probably my last NMA-related action in the area, as I am no longer a Dayton area resident.
Oct 27, 1999 testimony opposing speeding-point portions of Ohio Senate Bill 176 before the Ohio Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, which is examining Ohio's traffic penalties. Sen. Oelslager's SB 176 was supposed to reflect the recommendations of the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission, but there was miscommunication somewhere. As introduced, SB 176 proposes 4-point penalties for exceeding fast (55-mph or higher) speed limits by more than 10-mph. In fact, David Diroll of the Commission stated that the actual recommendation was 4-points for more than 30-mph over any posted limit. Obviously the Commission didn't spend much time on speeding penalties, because the Commission self-admittedly didn't address existing provisions for automatic 4^th degree (instead of minor) misdemeanors in certain circumstances. 4^th degree misdemeanors require court appearances, and automatically apply in cases like exceeding 50-mph in a municipality - a provision that apparently applies even on 65-mph freeways!
March 10, 1999 testimony against Automated Red Light Enforcement. The clout of Rep. Robert Corbin got this through the House, but it seems to have died in the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee. It's disturbing that it even got that far.
March 9, 1999 hearing/ letter of support for Uniform Car/Truck Speed Limits to the Ohio House Transportation Committee.
Some of my areas of interest are: Speed Limits Alcohol-impaired Driving 4-way Stop Signs
Speed Limits
Alcohol-impaired Driving
4-way Stop Signs

I focus on facts (hard numbers and research). Given the hysteria that too often prevails in discussions of traffic safety, hard numbers are hard to find. For example:

Fatality rates on German autobahns
Fatality rates on Motorways around the World
Fatalities on Ohio freeways.

Sometimes I've experimented and collected data myself. As an engineer, my intent is to get it right and verify others' claims. However, after a decade of this, I've got some strong opinions (see my Letter to the Editor that provoked the biggest reactions I've ever gotten from the public and journalists), as demonstrated by my editorial comments along the way.

Quote

"A popular Government, without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." JAMES MADISON to W. T. BARRY, August 4, 1822
You may send comments to me at ganotedp@dma.org

Links to related sites:
Legislative
Ohio Law (current)
Ohio House of Representatives hearings (courtesy of Gongwer)
Ohio Senate hearings (courtesy of Gongwer)
Executive
Ohio Dept. of Transportation
ODOT's District 1 Traffic Planning site which provides a discussion on stop signs and speed limits outside municipalities. Updated February 27, 2001