(a) Hazardous zones, commonly called “No passing zones,” shall consist of an auxiliary yellow line marked on the roadway pavement and placed parallel to the normal centerline or marked lane line. When the auxiliary yellow line appears on the left side of the driver’s lane of travel (to the right of the normal centerline or marked lane line), no driver shall drive across the auxiliary yellow line to overtake and pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. When auxiliary yellow lines appear on both sides of the normal centerline or marked lane line, drivers proceeding in either direction shall not drive across such auxiliary yellow lines to overtake and pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. No driver shall, at any other time, drive across the auxiliary yellow line when it appears in the driver’s lane of travel, except to make a lawfully permitted left- hand turn under the rules governing such movement. “No Passing” signs may also be erected facing traffic to indicate the beginning and end of each “no passing” zone.
(Ord. 1786. Passed 1-14-74.)
(b) The Department of Transportation may determine those portions of any State highway where overtaking and passing other traffic or driving to the left of the center or center line of the roadway would be especially hazardous, and may, by appropriate signs or markings on the highway, indicate the beginning and end of such zones. When signs or markings are in place and clearly visible, every operator of a vehicle shall obey the directions thereof, notwithstanding the distances set out in Ohio R.C. 4511.30.
(c) Division (b) of this section does not apply when all of the following apply:
(1) The slower vehicle is proceeding at less than half the speed of the speed limit applicable to that location.
(2) The faster vehicle is capable of overtaking and passing the slower vehicle without exceeding the speed limit.
(3) There is sufficient clear sight distance to the left of the center or center line of the roadway to meet the overtaking and passing provisions of Ohio R.C. 4511.29, considering the speed of the slower vehicle.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(e) If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under § 408.02(b).
(ORC 4511.31)