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Ohio’s ‘Move Over’ Law

What is the Move Over Law?

The Move Over Law, or Senate Bill 137, took effect on Thursday, December 19 when it was signed by Governor John Kasich. There is a 90-day grace period for the bill as violators will receive a warning during this time instead of a citation.

The Move Over Law was spurred by a crash in Fremont, Ohio in 2012 that resulted in the death of an Ohio Turnpike worker who was from Perrysburg. The man was killed when a tractor-trailer rig collided into a work crew. The Move Over Law will require all drivers to now move over to accommodate roadside vehicles, or to slow down.

If a driver fails to follow this law after the grace period is over, they could possibly be given a misdemeanor. If the cited driver has previous infractions in the last year, the penalty could escalate.

What does the Move Over Law mean for Ohio drivers?

The Move Over Law will require drivers to be cautious when approaching roadside vehicles, including construction and maintenance crews. If a vehicle is on the side of the road with its alert lights turned on, the law applies.

We understand that there are some instances in which you cannot move over in time, so the law asks drivers who can’t move over to slow down while passing the road crew.

The Department of Transportation has stated that there were over 600 collisions with vehicles and equipment since 2009, and one fatality in April of last year. Our office is happy to see this law go into effect as we believe it will significantly reduce the injury of roadside workers.

If you have questions about the Move Over Law or any accidents that have caused injury to a roadside worker, call our lawyers at 800.637.8170.

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