National Work Zone Awareness Week Highlights Ohio's NEW Move Over Law

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National Work Zone Awareness Week Highlights Ohio’s NEW Move Over Law
By: Molly Leonard, ODOT Communications Staff

Each year in April, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is held to bring national attention to motorists and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.  The first event in 1999 was sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in partner the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA).  Since then, several other transportation partners have joined the effort to support NWZAW and each individual state often holds their own events. 

This year, NWZAW was April 7-11 with the theme, “Work Zone Speeding: A Costly Mistake.”  This theme highlights the consequences of speeding through work zones, such as fines, jail time or even a life.  The goal of NWZAW is to inform drivers and encourage them to drive carefully through work zones.

As a part of NWZAW, ODOT highlighted the importance of the new expansion of Ohio’s Move Over Law.  Previously, drivers were required to slow down behind the wheel and change lanes when a police officer is stopped on the road.  But the officers aren’t the only ones who deserve this special attention.

According to national statistics, roadside accidents kill one tow truck driver every six days, 23 highway workers and one law enforcement officer every month and five firefighters every year.  In Ohio, thousands of workers build, maintain, serve and protect on our roadways every single day – all in the interest of the public.  Therefore, it is also in the public’s interest to protect roadside workers by observing the Move Over law.

In December 2013, Governor John Kasich expanded the law to require motorists to cautiously shift over one lane – or slow down if is it not possible to change lanes – when driving by any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road.  The law applies on any public roadway in Ohio and aims to protect everyone who works on our roads and everyone who travels on them.  The law had a few month grace period, and is now being actively enforced as of March 19, just in time for NWZAW.

Ohio’s Move Over Law applies to roadways where two or more lanes go in one direction.  The law is so serious that fines are doubled.  It can be enforced by any law enforcement officer, including state highway patrol officers, local police and county sheriff’s deputies. 

Of course it is not always possible to move over every time, so if it is not safe to move over because of traffic or weather conditions, slow down and be cautious.  Watch for people or objects that could enter your travel lane, and be prepared to stop.

With this in mind, please help spread awareness to support the men and women working to improve our highways, roadways and streets.  Roadway workers risk their lives every day to keep the roads safe and clear for the motoring public.  Everyone is encouraged to pay attention in work zones and help save lives.  And remember: Move over for all roadside workers.  Every vehicle, every time.