Officials alert drivers to Ohio’s ‘Move Over’ law

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Transportation officials are reminding Memorial Day drivers about a new state law that requires motorists to slow down or shift lanes if possible when passing vehicles with flashing lights along the side of the road.

Drivers have been required to change lanes and ease up when nearing emergency vehicles, though the law was recently expanded to include construction and other roadside vehicles with flashing lights.

The directors of the state Department of Transportation and the Ohio Turnpike say construction work may be suspended over the holiday weekend in many work zones, but some restrictions could still impact drivers.

Ohio’s transportation department is urging motorists to stay alert while driving. The agency says there were 4,093 crashes in work zones last year, including 1,012 injury crashes and 17 fatalities.