By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com

It’s not news that ignorance of the law is no defense. What is news is that a significant percentage of motorists appear to be unaware of a change in traffic laws that went into effect in 2013 and are getting cited for the potentially deadly violation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is trying to educate motorists about the traffic law in question which requires motorists to move into an adjacent lane of traffic whenever possible for those vehicles in the berm with flashing lights, or slow down and proceed with caution when changing lanes is not possible.

The law originally went into effect in 2004 in Ohio and applied to law enforcement vehicles only. In 2013, the law was amended to include all public vehicles, utility company vehicles, construction vehicles and public service vehicles of all kinds – including tow trucks and those of the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Yet in 2016, Trooper Gary Griffeth of the Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol says drivers are still telling him they are unaware of the change when he cites them for such a violation.

“We want to educate the motoring public,” Griffeth said. “We want to encourage voluntary compliance with the law.”

There’s good reason for such concern. From 2010 through 2014, 64 accidents occurred involving State Highway Patrol cars that were “move over” related. Those accidents resulted in one death and 56 injuries, 34 of those to civilians.

Troopers from the Bucyrus post alone have handed out 1,600 citations for move over violations from 2010 to 2014. Statewide, the number skyrockets to 9,300.

Such citations can result in double the normal fines and points against the offender’s license. Multiple offenses can escalate the penalty to higher fines, mandatory court appearances and a driver’s license suspension.

Griffeth says he has a simple message for motorists he pulls over for such violations, especially of those who plead ignorance.

“If you don’t do it to comply with the law, what about courtesy? What happened to courtesy?”

As a reminder, a sign has been placed on U.S. 30 in Crawford County advising motorists of the law.

Griffeth said it would be a good thing, in his opinion, if the law were expanded even more.

“I want to see the law protect the motorist on the side of the road trying to change a flat tire,” Griffeth said.

In the Ohio Revised Code the law can be found in section 4511.213.