'Move Over' Bill Aims to Save Workers' Lives, Patton Says

State Sen. Tom Patton, R–Strongsville, wants drivers to move over -- or at least slow down -- when they approach construction vehicles on the highway.

Patton is sponsoring a bill, which was approved this week by the Ohio Senate, that requires the evasive action to try to protect both workers and drivers,

“Over the years we have lost 164 road workers due to drivers whizzing by construction and utility workers at highway speeds," Patton said in a news release. "By getting drivers to simply slow down or move over for a construction vehicle, we can ensure more of those men and women make it home safely to their families at night.”
 
Current law already requires drivers to move over or drastically reduce their speed when approaching a law enforcement or emergency response vehicle.

Senate Bill 137 would extend that safeguard to stationary highway maintenance vehicles and PUCO inspection vehicles.
 
Patton’s legislation says that upon approaching a highway maintenance vehicle that is either stationary or displaying appropriate visual signs, such as flashing lights, the driver must either change lanes or, if it is not possible to change lanes, cautiously proceed at a reduced speed.
 
The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for further consideration.