331.01 DRIVING UPON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY; EXCEPTIONS.

   (a)   Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

      (1)   When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when making a left turn under the rules governing such movements;

      (2)   When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;

      (3)   When driving upon a roadway divided into three or more marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon;

      (4)   When driving upon a roadway designated and posted with signs for one-way traffic;

      (5)   When otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic-control device.

   (b)   Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn.

   (c)   Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use the lanes, or except as permitted under division (a)(2) of this section. This section shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or driveway.

(ORC 4511.25)

Penalty - see Sections 307.01 and 307.02

331.02 PASSING TO RIGHT WHEN PROCEEDING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.

   Operators of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction, each operator shall give to the other one-half of the main traveled portion of the roadway or as nearly one-half as is reasonably possible.

(ORC 4511.26)

Penalty - see Sections 307.01 and 307.02

331.03 OVERTAKING, PASSING TO LEFT; DRIVER'S DUTIES.

   The following rules govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction:

   (a)   The operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall, except as provided in division (c) of this section, signal to the vehicle to be overtaken, shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

   (b)   Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the operator of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle at the latter's audible signal, and the operator shall not increase the speed of the operator's vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

   (c)   The operator of a vehicle overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction on a divided highway as defined in Ohio R.C. 4511.35, a limited access highway as defined in Ohio R.C. 5511.02, or a highway with four or more traffic lanes is not required to signal audibly to the vehicle being overtaken and passed.

(ORC 4511.27)

Penalty - see Sections 307.01 and 307.02

331.04 OVERTAKING, PASSING TO RIGHT OF VEHICLE.

   (a)   The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:

      (1)   When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; or

      (2)   Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle.

   (b)   The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle only under conditions permitting the movement in safety. The movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway.

(ORC 4511.28)

Penalty - see Sections 307.01 and 307.02

331.05 OVERTAKING, PASSING TO LEFT OF CENTERLINE.

   No vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing traffic proceeding in the same direction, unless the left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit the overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any traffic approaching from the opposite direction or any traffic overtaken. In every event, the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable, and in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for the traffic approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.

(ORC 4511.29)

Penalty - see Sections 307.01 and 307.02

331.06 DRIVING UPON LEFT SIDE OF ROADWAY.

   (a)   No vehicle shall be driven upon the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:

      (1)   When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway, where the operator's view is obstructed within such a distance as to create a hazard in the event traffic might approach from the opposite direction;

      (2)   When the view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel; or

      (3)   When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing.

   (b)   This section does not apply to vehicles upon a one-way roadway, upon a roadway where traffic is lawfully directed to be driven to the left side, or under the conditions described in Ohio R.C. 4511.25(A)(2) or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.

(ORC 4511.30)

Penalty - see Sections 307.01 and 307.02

331.07 HAZARDOUS OR NO PASSING ZONES.

   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 of the signs or markings, notwithstanding the distances set out in Ohio R.C. 4511.30.

Penalty - see Sections 307.01 and 307.02

331.08 DRIVING WITHIN LANES OR CONTINUOUS LINES OF TRAFFIC.

   Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, or wherever within the Municipality traffic is lawfully moving in two or more substantially continuous lines in the same direction, the following rules apply:

   (a)   A vehicle shall be driven, as nearly as is practicable, entirely within a single lane or line of traffic and shall not be moved from the lane or line until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety.

   (b)   Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes and provides for the two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or when preparing for a left turn, or where the center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding, and is posted with signs to give notice of such allocation.

   (c)   Official signs may be erected directing specified traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the center of the roadway, or restricting the use of a particular lane to only buses during certain hours or during all hours, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of such signs.

   (d)   Official traffic-control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of roadway, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device.

(ORC 4511.33)

Penalty - see Sections 307.01 and 307.02

331.09 FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY.

   (a)   The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicle and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.

   (b)   The driver of any truck, or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle, when traveling upon a roadway outside a business or residence district, shall maintain a sufficient space, whenever conditions permit, between the vehicle and another vehicle ahead so an overtaking motor vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger. This division (b) does not prevent overtaking and passing nor does it apply to any lane specially designated for use by trucks.

   (c)   Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade shall maintain a sufficient space between the vehicles so an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger. This division (c) shall not apply to funeral processions.

(ORC 4511.34)

Penalty - see Sections 307.01 and 307.02