New Ohio traffic laws effective 1 July 09

[jwight]

New Ohio Traffic Laws Go Into Effect

Posted: 9:51 am EDT July 1, 2009Updated: 9:58 am EDT July 1, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A new law means fines for Ohio drivers who don't move over or slow down when there's a tow truck along the side of the road.

One of several traffic laws in effect Wednesday is meant to protect tow truck operators from passing motorists.

First-time violators who don't reduce speed or change lanes when they see a tow truck could be fined $300 and have to pay court costs. A second violation within a year brings a $500 fine.

Another change requires Ohio motorists to turn headlights on when they use windshield wipers in the rain.

There is also a new law establishing transition zones when posted speed limits drop by 20 mph or more, to guard against speed traps. And, the speed limit for trucks has increased from 55 mph to 65 mph on many Ohio interstate highways.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

First I'd heard of this was today.

[PerryA]

The wiper/headlight thing was news to me this morning as I drove to work. Sounds like a job for Smart Update 2.1 - program headlights to come on with wipers. Heck, the rear wiper already knows to swipe the back when you put the car in reverse, linking the headlight thing to the daylight running light subroutine can't be hard.

[jwight]

Apparently it is; cars with DRLs cannot have the auto lights/wipers, and vice versa.

[forestacademy]

WI Has the Move over Law for Construction and Emergency Vehicles, Don't know it includes tow trucks.

I realy Like the trasition zone law. It should have the same when the speed Incresses 20 mph as well. Those are the speed traps that will get you. Drive 30 untill you get to the 55 sign or you will be ticketed.

Headlight with wipers has been around for years.

But we are just getting mandetory insurance. $500 if you don't have insurance. Also just added Primary seatbelt enforcement.

[PerryA]

There was a proposal to allow the use of speed cameras in construction zones to ticket drivers who didn't reduce speed. I could see the opportunity when the construction signs are posted well ahead of the actual construction work area. You see the sign, but there are no workers and no barrels because the work has progressed down the road a mile. You maintain your normal speed since this appears to be posted in error, but you failed to observe the speed camera just past the construction sign. Fish in a barrel.

I worked on the railroad years ago and hated it whenever we had to work near a crossing or roadway. My empathy is with the highway workers. Drivers can be crazy and unpredictable. Slow 'em down and enforce the law, but do it for safety, not revenue.

[jwight]

Construction zones and emergency vehicles on the side of the road - too many instances of those folks injured or killed while trying to do their jobs. That's why the "move over" laws and construction speed zones came into being, and enforcement is what makes them effective. If that means cameras, so be it. Of course, people could just abide by the law...

[John_H]

We're just getting the "move over" law extended to tow trucks in Oregon having had it for emergency vehicles for a while.

Isn't it the people who pay enough attention to pull over that would never be involved in an accident with vehicles or people on the shoulder? It's those who don't pay enough attention in the first place that are the problem. Will ticketing those who pay no attention make them finally start? I hope so but hope never does anything on its own.

[Big Panda]

We already have a 'move over' law here in Indiana. It refers to 'emergency vehicles' which I believe includes wreckers/tow trucks.

I agree with John......need drivers to be more aware of these people out trying to help others.

[jetfuel]

...I believe the "move over" law in IN, as stated in the driving booklet, applies only "when possible" and to slow down if not...you really don't want to cut somebody just because there's an emergency vehicle on the side of the road..

jetfuel...changing lanes in Naples FL

[Godfather]

LOL.......... trying to get out of the serious graybeards way, jet?