Troopers urge motorists to move over, slow down

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds all motorists to do their part in keeping roadway workers safe by moving over a lane and slowing down when they see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road.

“Moving over and slowing down is a meaningful way to protect not just law enforcement and other first responders, but road construction workers, tow truck operators, and maintenance and utility crews as well,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “By giving these workers extra room, you’re helping to ensure that they make it home to their families at the end of the day.”

Ohio’s Move Over Law requires all drivers to move over to an adjacent lane when approaching any public safety vehicle with flashing or rotating lights parked on the roadside. If moving over is not possible due to traffic, weather conditions or a second lane not being available, motorists should slow down and proceed with caution.

The importance of Ohio’s Move Over Law was tragically underscored by the on-duty death of trooper Nicholas P. Cayton last year. Cayton was actively working in his patrol cruiser and was fatally struck from behind by a driver who failed to move over. The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of state Route 11, south of U.S. 224, in Mahoning County.

“The loss of trooper Nicholas Cayton is an absolute tragedy for the Ohio State Highway Patrol family and the entire state of Ohio,” said Col. Charles A. Jones, patrol superintendent. “When drivers move over and slow down, they help protect themselves and the men and women who are in harm’s way to keep others safe.”

Failing to move over and slow down not only affects law enforcement and roadside workers, but also it puts the driver at risk. In 2021 troopers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on the right shoulder of U.S. 24 westbound in Defiance County. The patrol cruiser’s emergency lights were activated, but a passing vehicle failed to move over or slow down and struck the back of the cruiser, pushing it into the vehicle ahead. As a result the 52-year-old driver of the at-fault vehicle was killed.

Tragedies like these reinforce the need for drivers to move over and slow down. Over the last four years, 62 patrol cruisers were involved in crashes while they were stopped on the side of the road due to drivers failing to move over and slow down. These crashes resulted in two deaths and 43 injuries.

Find more information on Ohio’s work zones and what troopers do to make them safer by visiting www.workzonedashboard.ohio.gov.