Ohio: Warning Ohioans to Move Over
Ahead of the holiday weekend, officials remind drivers to be cautious of flashing lights on the side of the road.
In 2004, a law took effect to require drivers to move over or slow down when passing emergency responders. That law was adapted in 2013 to include all vehicles with flashing lights that are stopped on the side of the road. Lt. Matt Boyd, of the Zanesville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said the law has helped to save many lives.
"We take a lot of pride in trying to make roadways safer for people traveling in Ohio," he said. "We just ask people to watch out for our people that are out there on the road." Boyd said it's a mainly common sense law, but that it helps to protect many roadside workers. Muskingum County ODOT Manager, Phil Valentine, said ODOT crews work to improve roads but can't constantly watch their surroundings, so it's up to drivers to stay aware.
"We understand we're an inconvenience," Valentine said. "We slow down people's commute, we get in the way. We're trying to do what we can to make the roads better, safer. We're trying to -- we're trying to prevent accidents"
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