TrafficWise - September 20, 2021

Ohio State Highway Patrol sent this bulletin at 09/20/2021 01:53 PM EDT

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TrafficWise

September 20, 2021

 

Year-to-Date Confirmed Traffic Fatalities, Current versus 2020 Traffic Fatalities

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FATAL CRASHES 2021 YEAR TO DATE MAP can be found here.

FATAL COMPARISON MAP can be found here.

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OHIO - MAKING A DIFFERENCE

DRIVE SOBER

OR GET PULLED OVER

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over National Traffic Safety Mobilization for 2021 concluded on September 6, 2021.

Though the National Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Mobilization has concluded, the job is nowhere close to being done. Year-to-date (through 8/31/2021), there have been 8,726 OVI related crashes in Ohio including:

  • 5,960 alcohol related crashes only;
  • 1,767 drug related crashes only; and
  • 999 alcohol & drug related crashes

IT'S NOT THE TIME TO LET OUR GUARD DOWN!!!!

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office encourage all Ohio Law Enforcement Agencies to continue their enforcement efforts on impaired driving along with the other Traffic Safety initiatives. 

In order to document Ohio’s effort as we report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), law enforcement partners are asked to report their enforcement and public awareness efforts for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization. The “Activity Reporting” form which your agency can use for the mobilization can be found clicking here.  Please complete and return your activity for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  The “Activity Report” can be sent to the OTSO by fax at (614) 752-4646 or by email at TrafficSafety@dps.ohio.gov.

Thank you for your support and your agency’s efforts in supporting the goal to make Ohio’s roads safe.

NHTSA RELEASES NEW HIGHWAY SAFETY COUNTERMEASURE GUIDE

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Purpose of the Guide

Released by NHTSA in July 2021, this guide is a basic reference to assist State Highway Safety Offices in selecting effective,
science-based traffic safety countermeasures for major highway safety problems. The guide

  • describes major strategies and countermeasures relevant to SHSOs;
  • summarizes their use, effectiveness, costs, and implementation time; and
  • provides references to the most important research summaries and individual studies

To view this guide highlighting the 10 Traffic Safety Problem areas and countermeasures that can impact them, click here.
Move

MOVE OVER AND SLOW DOWN.

IT'S THE LAW

The Move Over Law is a lifesaving law in the state of Ohio that requires drivers to move over and slow down for any stationary vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road. The law applies to vehicles with flashing lights of any color, including law enforcement officers, emergency responders, road construction, maintenance vehicles, utility crews and tow trucks.

The law applies to all roadways and highways in the state, and fines are doubled for failing to comply with it.

Remember to always Move Over, Slow Down and Pay Attention for every flashing light, every time. It just may save a life. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Move Over law?

Ohio's Move Over law is designed to protect the lives of everyone who works on or uses our roadways. The law requires all drivers to move over one lane passing by any vehicle with flashing or rotating lights parked on the roadside.

The original law took effect in 1999 to reduce risk to law-enforcement officers and emergency responders. It was expanded in December 2013 to apply to every stationary vehicle with flashing lights, including road construction, maintenance, and utility crews.

What if I can't Move Over?

The law recognizes that sometimes it is not safe or possible to move over because of traffic or weather conditions or because a second lane does not exist. In those situations, slow down and proceed with caution. Watch for people or objects that could enter your travel lane, and be prepared to stop.

Why Move Over?

Across the nation, hundreds of people are killed or injured every year due to being struck on the side of the road or highway. 

In Ohio alone, there were 5,226 Move Over crashes Between 2015-2020, of which:

  • 42% were law enforcement
  • 40% were construction, maintenance or utility workers
  • 10% were fire or ambulance
  • 4% were towing vehicles
  • 4% were other

By moving over and slowing down, Ohio drivers dramatically reduce the risk of harmful and even fatal crashes with stationary vehicles and people alongside the roadways.  

What are the Move Over penalties?

The Move Over Law is strictly enforced and violating it results in serious penalties, including a misdemeanor charge and up to double the usual fines for a first violation. Additional fines apply for distracted drivers and multiple violations in the same year. 

What types of roadways does the law apply to?

Ohio’s Move Over law applies to all interstates and state highways. It can be enforced by any law-enforcement officer, including state highway patrol officers, local police, and county sheriff's deputies.

 

For more information about the Move Over Law from our partners at ODOT, click here.

 

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