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Ohio Highway Patrol aggressively enforcing 'Move Over' law

Posted at 2:03 PM, Jul 27, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-28 00:14:13-04

Drive safely, pay attention, slow down, move over, or get a ticket. The choice is yours, according to Ohio Highway Patrol. 

We've seen more than a few fatal accidents involving roadside workers here in Northeast Ohio over the past couple years, but not all drivers are taking notice. 

Even with a law in place to protect law enforcement, first responders and others, they say it's still happening. 

And it's behind an enforcement action that started earlier this week and will continue through the weekend. 

"There's more of us focused on Move Over, slow down," said Lt. Rob Gable, with Ohio Highway Patrol, 

The Move Over Law, put in place back in 2009 and expanded in 2013 aims to put an end to that.

The law requires all drivers to move over one lane when approaching any vehicle with flashing lights, if moving over isn't possible, drivers are supposed to slow down. 

RELATED: Mentor officer's roadside death prompts more awareness about Ohio's 'Move Over' law

The cost of a ticket for not moving over ranges by city, but drivers can face hundreds of dollars in fines and points on their license. 

Gable said surrounding states are also taking part in the crackdown: Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 

"Officers are out there working in tandem or their working with tow truck drivers or highway drivers watching their back as their doing their work, ensuring people are moving over," Gable said. 

Over the past 5 years? Ohio Patrol cruisers, alone, were involved in 58 crashes related to the law. Those crashes resulted in 2 deaths and 58 injuries, according to Highway Patrol. 

"We've seen too many tragedies, especially in this area...even after the project is complete, we will continue enforcing the law," Gable said. 

OSHP ticketed almost 4,000 drivers last year.