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What is the “Move Over” Law?

 

The Move Over Law is a life-saving rule requiring drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching a stopped vehicle with flashing lights on the roadside. This simple action dramatically reduces the risk of roadside accidents and fatalities.

In Ohio, the law is found in ORC 4511.213. It requires motorists to carefully move over one lane when possible or, if not safe, reduce speed significantly. Originally passed to protect police officers during traffic stops, the law now covers firefighters, EMS, tow truck drivers, garbage collection crews, and road construction workers.

The Reality on Ohio Roads

 

Every day in Northwest Ohio, you can see just how often drivers ignore the Move Over Law. Cars race through construction zones well above the posted limit, weaving between lanes instead of slowing down. On the Ohio Turnpike, maintenance crews pull over with big flashing arrow boards or straight-line signs warning drivers to move over — yet vehicles still fly past in the same lane, putting those workers at extreme risk.

Semis are another problem. By law, they’re supposed to remain in the right lane, but too often they move into the middle or left lanes, flying through construction zones and passing dangerously close to workers on the shoulder. The massive wind turbulence from a semi can rock even heavy vehicles — imagine what it does to someone standing just a few feet away.

The rule is simple: if you see flashing lights ahead — move over if you can, slow down if you can’t.

  • Red, blue, or white flashing lights? Police, fire, or EMS are on the scene.

  • Amber or yellow lights? Tow trucks, utility crews, sanitation trucks, or turnpike maintenance vehicles are at work.

  • Hazard lights on a passenger car? Someone is stranded, possibly standing just feet away from high-speed traffic.

It’s not about convenience — it’s about creating a safety buffer that saves lives. Whether on I-75, the Ohio Turnpike, Route 20, or a two-lane county road, moving over shows respect for roadside workers, protects stranded motorists, and prevents tragedies that happen far too often.

Ohio’s Move-Over Law Requirements

 

Ohio’s Move Over Law sets clear rules for how drivers must act when approaching stopped vehicles with flashing lights. Whether it’s a police cruiser, fire truck, tow truck, or even a utility vehicle, the law requires motorists to give space and reduce speed to prevent roadside crashes. These requirements apply not only on highways but also on other Ohio roadways where workers and responders are at risk.

To comply with Ohio’s Move Over Law:

  • Move over one full lane when safe to do so.

  • If unable to move, slow down considerably and proceed with caution.

Violating the law carries steep fines: $300 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third within one year. Beyond fines, ignoring this law can lead to devastating accidents and potential liability for serious injuries or wrongful death.

Why the Move Over Law Matters

 

Protecting Roadside Workers and Drivers

 

Law enforcement, EMTs, tow operators, and highway workers are especially vulnerable on the side of the road. Even the wind turbulence from a passing vehicle can be strong enough to rock a heavy truck—imagine the danger for someone standing only a few feet away. Every day, drivers in Ohio see semis barreling through work zones, cars weaving too close to tow operators, and motorists racing through lane restrictions. These preventable dangers are exactly why the Move Over Law exists.

Reducing Roadside Collisions

 

Roadside crashes remain a serious safety problem across the U.S. Thousands of accidents each year involve law enforcement officers, construction and utility workers, tow operators, and emergency responders. The reality is sobering:

  • One tow truck driver is killed every six days.

  • 23 highway workers lose their lives each month.

  • Five firefighters are struck and killed annually because drivers fail to move over.

These tragedies highlight how one careless decision can ripple through families and entire communities.

The Danger of Roadside Accidents

 

Each year, hundreds of people are injured or killed in roadside accidents when drivers fail to move over. These crashes often occur because of inattention or insufficient space given to stopped vehicles. The consequences are devastating for victims, families, and local communities.

 

Moving Over for More Than Emergency Vehicles

The Move Over Law is designed for flashing lights, but safe driving goes further. Every stopped car on the shoulder—whether broken down, changing a tire, or waiting for help—creates danger. Passing within inches at highway speeds puts not only the stranded driver at risk but also passengers and first responders who may stop to help.

Too often, drivers treat the shoulder like empty space. In reality, it’s an active danger zone:

  • A parent kneeling to change a flat tire with children inside the car.

  • A tow operator is hooking up a vehicle while traffic races past.

  • A driver standing next to a disabled vehicle after a breakdown or minor crash.

These everyday situations turn deadly when drivers refuse to move over.

How to Safely Move Over in Ohio

Many drivers think moving over means drifting a little in their lane—but that’s not enough. Here’s what compliance really looks like:

  • Change lanes completely into the next available lane, giving the stopped vehicle space.

  • Stay to the far side of your lane if you cannot merge, creating maximum buffer.

  • Slow down 10–20 mph below the posted speed when passing closely.

  • Anticipate early: signal clearly, check mirrors and blind spots, and merge smoothly.

By practicing these habits every time, drivers build muscle memory that saves lives.

What If You Can’t Move Over?

 

Drivers unable to change lanes must slow down and proceed cautiously. For example, if you spot a police officer conducting a traffic stop ahead and cannot merge, reduce your speed and approach carefully. Always be prepared to stop if necessary.

The Importance of the “Move Over” Law

 

The Move Over Law is more than a traffic rule — it’s a public safety measure designed to reduce preventable tragedies on Ohio’s roads. Every year, roadside workers, first responders, and even everyday motorists are put at risk when drivers fail to give them space. By requiring motorists to slow down and move over, the law creates a safer buffer zone that protects lives, prevents collisions, and reminds drivers of their shared responsibility on the road.

Protecting Lives

 

The primary goal of the Move Over Law is to protect individuals who work on or near roadways, often in vulnerable positions, while handling emergencies or essential maintenance.

Reducing Collisions

 

By requiring drivers to move over or slow down, the law reduces the likelihood of severe injuries and fatalities from roadside collisions.

A Nationwide Safety Concern

 

Roadside crashes are not limited to Ohio—they’re a national epidemic. The numbers are staggering: one tow truck driver is killed every six days, law enforcement officers and highway workers die each month, and even everyday motorists are struck while waiting for help. These tragedies make it clear: moving over saves lives.

Move Over Law Accidents in Ohio

 

Despite public awareness campaigns, Move Over Law accidents still cause serious injuries and deaths every year. Victims may include first responders, roadside workers, or drivers with mechanical issues.

If you or a loved one is injured because another driver failed to move over, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Compensation may include:

  • Medical bills and rehabilitation costs

  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

  • Pain, suffering, and emotional distress

  • Funeral and burial expenses in fatal cases

 

Move Over and Slow Down to Save Lives!

 

Whether or not a vehicle has flashing lights, drivers must move over one lane and reduce their speed when passing by stopped vehicles. Ignoring this law can have catastrophic consequences.

  • A tow truck driver is killed every six days in the U.S.

  • At least one law enforcement officer and 23 highway workers die each month.

  • Every year, five firefighters are struck and killed.

These numbers don’t even account for ordinary motorists struck while pulled over. Whether approaching a construction zone, accident scene, or disabled vehicle, always move over and slow down.

If you or someone you know has been injured because a driver failed to move over, contact Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault for legal guidance.

Don’t Ignore Injuries Caused by Failure to Move Over

 

If you’ve been injured because a driver failed to move over, seek legal guidance right away. Negligent motorists who ignore Ohio’s Move Over Law can be held accountable for the harm they cause. A personal injury claim may provide compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost income, and long-term disabilities. If you were injured while working, you may also qualify for workers’ compensation benefits — and pursuing a third-party claim against the negligent driver will not cancel those benefits.

 

Your Local Injury Lawyers

 

Don’t let negligent drivers deny your rights to compensation. Our Ohio car accident attorneys will hold them accountable and fight for the financial settlement you deserve. Insurance companies may try to downplay your injuries or shift blame. Still, our team knows how to build strong cases and negotiate with them on your behalf—Trust Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Toledo, personal injury attorneys, to get the results you need after a car accident.

Call your Toledo car accident lawyers at 419-843-6663 to get started, or use our easy online contact form today.

If you reside in or around any of the areas we serve in Ohio and Michigan – Maumee, Defiance, Fremont, Findlay, Lima, Mansfield, Toledo, and Monroe – and are searching for the “best car accident lawyer near me,” you can count on having the best lawyer for car accidents from Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault to represent you in a personal injury or wrongful death case.  With a local Toledo personal injury attorney near you, help is just a phone call away.