Ohio Patrol Stresses Importance of Move Over Law

ZANESVILLE, OH – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to slow down and move over. It’s a simple step that can save lives on the side of the road.

Troopers say Ohio’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move into the adjacent lane when approaching any public safety vehicle with flashing or rotating lights stopped along the roadside. If it’s not possible to change lanes, motorists must slow down and proceed with caution.

“Over the years, there’s been hundreds of service vehicles struck, injured, or killed as a result of a vehicle not seeing somebody broke down on the side of the road or an officer out on a traffic stop. We just ask that just look forward and pay attention to your surroundings. If motorists are able to move over safely, please do so.” Zanesville Post Commander, Lt. Kristi Mistovich said.

Patrol officials say failing to move over doesn’t just put law enforcement and roadside workers at risk, it also puts drivers in danger.

“Nobody wants to be in a traffic crash. Our number one objective is to try to prevent traffic crashes. If motorists are not able to move over safely, they put themselves at risk. If you’re not able to do so, we just ask that you at least slow down in a safe manner to prevent being involved in a motor vehicle crash yourself.” Lt. Mistovich said.

Over the last four years, 62 patrol cruisers were hit while stopped on the side of the road after drivers failed to move over or slow down. Those crashes resulted in two deaths and 43 injuries.