(a) 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 centerline of the roadway would be especially hazardous, and may, by appropriate signs or markings on the highway, indicate the beginning and end of the 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 R.C. § 4511.30.
(b) Subsection (a) 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 Section
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, 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.
(d) 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 § 303.991.
(R.C. § 4511.31)