CHAPTER 331
Operation Generally
331.01   Driving upon right side of roadway; exceptions.
331.02   Passing to right when proceeding in opposite directions.
331.03   Overtaking, passing to left; driver's duties.
331.04   Overtaking, passing to right of vehicle.
331.05   Overtaking, passing to left of centerline.
331.06   Driving upon left side of roadway.
331.07   Hazardous or no passing zones.
331.08   Driving within lanes or continuous lines of traffic.
331.09   Following too closely.
331.10   Turning at intersections.
331.11   Right-of-way at private driveway, alley or building.
331.12   “U” turns restricted.
331.13   Starting and backing vehicles.
331.14   Signals before changing course, turning or stopping.
331.15   Hand and arm signals.
331.16   Right-of-way at intersections.
331.165   Intersections at which traffic control signals fail or malfunction.
331.17   Right-of-way when turning left.
331.18   Operation of vehicle at yield signs.
331.19   Operation of vehicle at stop signs.
331.20   Emergency or public safety vehicles at stop signals or signs.
331.21   Right-of-way of public safety or coroner's vehicle.
331.215   Driving while approaching stationary public safety vehicle and certain other vehicles with flashing lights.
331.217   Stop signs on private roads and driveways.
331.22   Driving onto roadway from place other than roadway: duty to yield. (Repealed)
331.23   Driving onto roadway from place other than roadway: stopping at sidewalk. (Repealed)
331.24   Right-of-way of funeral procession.
331.25   Driver's view and control to be unobstructed by load or persons.
331.26   Driving upon street posted as closed for repair.
331.27   Following and parking near emergency or safety vehicles.
331.28   Driving over fire hose.
331.29   Driving through safety zone.
331.30   One-way streets and rotary traffic islands.
331.31   Driving upon divided roadways.
331.32   Entering and exiting controlled-access highway.
331.33   Obstructing intersections, crosswalks or grade crossings.
331.34   Weaving; full time and attention.
331.35   Occupying travel trailer, fifth wheel vehicle, or manufactured or mobile home while in motion.
331.36   “Peeling”; cracking exhaust noises.
331.37   Driving upon sidewalks, tree lawns or curbs.
331.38   Stopping for school bus; actuating visual signals; discharging children.
331.39   Driving across grade crossings.
331.40   Stopping at grade crossings.
331.41   Shortcutting across private property.
331.42   Operation on paths set aside for bicycles.
331.43   Littering from motor vehicles.
331.44   Use of earphones while driving.
331.45   Texting while driving prohibited.
331.46   Use of electronic wireless communication devices by minors or probationary drivers while driving prohibited.
331.99   Penalty.
   CROSS REFERENCES
   See section histories for similar State law
   Obedience to traffic control devices - see TRAF. 313.01
   Yielding right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks - see TRAF. 371.07
   Operation of bicycles and motorcycles generally - see TRAF. 373.01 et seq.
   Operation of snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles and all-purpose vehicles - see TRAF. 375.01 et seq.
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 division 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.
   (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 § 303.99(b).
(R.C. § 4511.25)
331.02   PASSING TO RIGHT WHEN PROCEEDING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.
   (a)   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.
   (b)   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.
   (c)   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 § 303.99(b).
(R.C. § 4511.26)
331.03   OVERTAKING, PASSING TO LEFT; DRIVER'S DUTIES.
   (a)   The following rules govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction:
      (1)   The operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall, except as provided in division (a)(3) 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. When a motor vehicle overtakes and passes a bicycle or electric bicycle, three feet or greater is considered a safe passing distance.
      (2)   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.
      (3)   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.
      (b)   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.
   (c)   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 § 303.99(b).
(R.C. § 4511.27)
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.
   (c)   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.
   (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 § 303.99(b).
(R.C. § 4511.28)
331.05   OVERTAKING, PASSING TO LEFT OF CENTERLINE.
   (a)   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.
   (b)   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.
   (c)   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 § 303.99(b).
(R.C. § 4511.29)
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 similar municipal ordinance.
   (c)   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.
   (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 § 303.99(b).
(R.C. § 4511.30)
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