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The Ohio Highway Patrol is focusing on enforcement of the Move Over Law. Drivers should be alert and prepared to move over for first responders and road workers. If you don’t move over, you’ll get a ticket from the police!

The law requires motorists to change lanes and allow safe clearance for vehicles with flashing or rotating lights. However, if moving over isn’t possible, motorists should slow down and proceed with caution. As long as you make an effort for things to be safer for emergency personnel, you will be in compliance with the law.

Citations written for violation of the Move Over Law in 2018 have increased by 59% in 2018. Overall, from 2014 to 2018, Highway Patrol recorded 18,127 Move Over citations. The highway patrol cites people who fail to move over for emergency personnel and give them enough room to work. If you don’t give them enough space, you could put their lives in danger.

Move Over Law Protects Emergency Personnel

Legislators created the Move Over Law to protect emergency responders working along the roadside. In fact, in the U.S., 23 highway workers and one police officer are struck by a vehicle and killed each month. Additionally, motorists fatally injure six firefighters every year. A tow truck driver also loses his or her life every six days. Just this past year, a worker lost his life while subcontracting for the ODOT on Route 24 near Columbus.

Monday, April 8^th marked the beginning of National Work Zone Awareness Week. On April 10th, organizers encourage road safety professionals and supporters to wear orange in support of road worker safety. They also encourage supporters to wear orange for families of victims who have lost their lives in work zones.

Here is more information on National Work Zone Awareness Week.