Monroe Chat

New Ohio Traffic Law Could Cost You Big

As you drive across southern Ohio, be mindful of a few new laws beginning Wednesday.
The Ohio Assembly approved the following traffic laws:

Drivers who see a tow truck on the side of the road will have to move over or slow down (just as they must for stopped police or fire vehicles).

Semi-truck drivers can now drive 65 mph instead of 55 mph.

All Ohio drivers must turn on their headlights when they use windshield wipers in the rain.

The state is reducing speed traps by establishing transition zones when speed limits drop by 20 mph.

When it comes to violations, the tow truck law carries a fine of $300 (plus court fees) for a first offense. A second violation in a year carries a fine of $500.

The headlights rule will only involve warnings this year, but tickets may be issued beginning in 2010.

Wonderful !!

[quote]Semi-truck drivers can now drive 65 mph instead of 55 mph./quote]

many states already do this and i could never figure out why we did not do it also.

All Ohio drivers must turn on their headlights when they use windshield wipers in the rain.


sometimes it is hard to see others in the rain without the lights. Most vehicles have automatic lights so for many this will not be an issue. The older cars or JEEP Wranglers do not have auto lights. So turn them on.

Did they ever pass a law allowing you to be pulled over strictly for a seatbelt violation?

yes they have the power to make a traffic stop on just the seat belt now.

My husband got pulled over 4 or 5 years ago for not having his seatbelt on.

If I am forced to wear a seatbelt, then motorcylists should have to wear a helmet. It's a violation of my personal right to freedom and quite frankly being short causes the seatbelt to rub across my neck, which is really annoying and I'd imagine, quite dangerous, too. I'm an adult and know the risks. Sorry for the rant but this issue makes me crazy!

I think the other new laws are a good idea but I pull over for the tow trucks anyway.

you can get an extender for your car that would movethe seal belt lower and off your neck area.

I do not like the fact we have a law about the seat belt. if you are not wearing one and get hurt it does not effect me. sorry bad law making people do things they should do anyway.

I don't agree that you shouldn't have to wear a seatbelt, but I absolutely agree that motorcyclists should have to wear a helmet. Okay, so I know that isn't exactly what you are saying...but I agree they are the same thing and should either both be required (my opinion) or neither one be required.

HRHPatey wrote:Wonderful !!

Semi-truck drivers can now drive 65 mph instead of 55 mph./quote]

Most people will tell you that having two separate speeds for trucks and cars cause more accidents than a truck going the same speed as a car. And it will keep road rage incedents down also........

If you want to keep safe from Semi's it is important to have minimum age requirements and more experience hours before the new drivers can be shoved out on the road in a truck by themselves........

"sorry" Hubby drives a big truck and I tell him all the time that if it dont have 18 wheels he cant drive it...... LOL ....... I drive when he is home..... always.......

I nearly plowed right into (and under) a semi driven by TriState Driving School on Tuesday. I'm zipping along Verity toward Franklin and suddenly the car in front of me pulls into the other lane. No signals, no warning. In front of me is a semi at a near standstill & I'm doing 50 in the Mustang with the top down. He has no hazards, no nothing. Thank God for slotted rotors and new pads!!

All I could think of as the dust & rust on the semi came closer and closer was the headline in the paper that somehow the now decapitated driver (me) of the speeding Mustang was following too closely, lost control and oh boo hoo what a mess for OHP to clean up.

I normally have a ton of respect for the big rig drivers but this week I learned a few new words I didn't think could translate into English.

catnipandcarrots wrote:I nearly plowed right into (and under) a semi driven by TriState Driving School on Tuesday. I'm zipping along Verity toward Franklin and suddenly the car in front of me pulls into the other lane. No signals, no warning. In front of me is a semi at a near standstill & I'm doing 50 in the Mustang with the top down. He has no hazards, no nothing. Thank God for slotted rotors and new pads!!

All I could think of as the dust & rust on the semi came closer and closer was the headline in the paper that somehow the now decapitated driver (me) of the speeding Mustang was following too closely, lost control and oh boo hoo what a mess for OHP to clean up.

I normally have a ton of respect for the big rig drivers but this week I learned a few new words I didn't think could translate into English.

and no seat belt??? in a convertable.

where was no seatbelt mentioned?

She mentioned previously (in another post, same thread) that she doesn't wear her seat belt.

A Primary Law means a motorist can be pulled over for a violation (ex.not wearing a seatbelt) without first being pulled over for a moving violation.
A few years ago, when the Ohio State Patrol was fighting to get the seatbelt law changed to a Primary law, the Commander of the Ohio State Patrol ( a Colonel) went before the Ohio Legislature and explained that he wanted the law changed to a primary law. He was on TV saying (and I paraphrase) "We won't use this law to pull over motorists. We just want the ABILITY to use this law to pull over motorists." Of course the Ohio Legislatures must have fallen for this load of crap, because they changed the law to a Primary law.
If I ever went to my employer and asked for permission to give myself a raise, I'd be alughed out of the building!!! Can you imagine someone telling their Boss "I won't give myself a raise. I just want the ABILITY to give myself a raise."?
Amywyas, Ohio's seatbelt law is a Primary law and you can be stopped and cited for not wearing a seatbelt. And it does happen, despite the Good Colonel's statement!!!!