ODOT and OSHP Reminds Drivers to Slow Down and Move Over for Roadside Workers

State and other roadside workers help raise awareness about important law

Clermont County (Monday, April 1, 2019) Every day, employees of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), other law enforcement agencies, fire departments, utility companies, contractors, towing companies and other roadside workers are put at risk by drivers who fail to obey the state’s Slow Down Move Over law.

ODOT District 8 Deputy Director Tammy Campbell and OSHP Clermont County Post Commander Lieutenant Bobby Hayslip today reminded motorists of the important law which requires drivers to slow down and move over when they approach vehicles with flashing lights on the side of the road.

"Motorists are helping protect the lives of everyone who works on or uses our roadways by moving over," said Lt. Hayslip. "Moving over isn't only the right thing to do, it's the law."

The law, which went into effect in 1999, included only law enforcement officers. It was later amended in 2013 to include all roadside workers.

“Drivers should always be attentive when behind the wheel, but work zones require even more attention,” said Campbell. “The men and women working on and along our roads are trying to keep us safe. We should keep them safe by moving over or slowing down.”

Last year, ODOT crews were struck 152 times while working along Ohio’s roadways. During the department’s existence, 162 employees have been killed while on the job, the latest being John Pasko, who was killed in March 2018 while removing trees and brush alongside I-680 in Youngstown.

There were 4,662 work zone crashes last year in Ohio. They resulted in 586 minor injuries, 103 serious injuries, and 14 deaths. The vast majority of those injured and killed in work zones are motorists and their passengers.

The most common factor in work zone crashes is following too closely. Work zones are places where traffic patterns change and equipment is moving in and out of the zone. Drivers MUST be even more attentive and avoid distractions when traveling through work zones.

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