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Montgomery, Ohio Code of Ordinances
CHAPTER 72: TRAFFIC RULES
Section
General Provisions
   72.01   Lanes of travel upon roadways
   72.02   Driving through safety zone
   72.03   Vehicles traveling in opposite directions
   72.04   Rules governing overtaking and passing of vehicles
   72.05   Permission to overtake and pass on the right
   72.06   Driving to left of center line
   72.07   Prohibition against driving upon left side of roadway
   72.08   Hazardous zones
   72.09   One-way highways and rotary traffic islands
   72.10   Rules for driving in marked lanes
   72.11   Space between moving vehicles
   72.12   Divided roadways
   72.13   Rules for turns at intersections
   72.14   U-turns and turning in roadway prohibited
   72.15   Starting and backing vehicles
   72.16   Turn and stop signals
   72.17   Hand and arm signals
   72.171   Opening and closing vehicle doors
Right-of-Way
   72.20   Right-of-way at intersections
   72.21   Right-of-way when turning left
   72.22   Right-of-way at through highways; stop signs; yield signs
   72.23   Stop at sidewalk area; stop signs on private roads and driveways
   72.24   Right-of-way on public highway
   72.25   Pedestrian on sidewalk has right-of-way
   72.26   Right-of-way of public safety vehicles
   72.27   Funeral procession has right-of-way
   72.28   Pedestrians yield right-of-way to public safety vehicle
   72.29   Pedestrian on crosswalk has right-of-way
   72.30   Right-of-way yielded to blind person
   72.31   Right-of-way yielded by pedestrian
Pedestrians
   72.35   Pedestrian movement in crosswalks
   72.36   Pedestrian walking along highway
   72.37   Prohibition against soliciting rides; riding on outside of vehicle
   72.38   Pedestrian on bridge or railroad crossing
   72.39   Persons operating motorized wheelchairs
   72.40   Intoxicated or drugged pedestrian hazard on highway
   72.41   Operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices
   72.42   Operation of personal delivery device on sidewalks and crosswalks
   72.43   Low-speed micromobility devices
Grade Crossings
   72.45   Stop signs at grade crossings
   72.46   Driving vehicle across railroad grade crossing
   72.47   Vehicles required to stop at grade crossings
   72.48   Slow-moving vehicles or equipment crossing railroad tracks
Prohibitions
   72.55   Obstruction and interference affecting view and control of driver
   72.56   Occupying travel trailer while in motion
   72.57   Driving upon closed highway prohibited
   72.58   Driving upon sidewalk area or paths exclusively for bicycles
   72.59   Obstructing passage of other vehicles
   72.60   Following an emergency or public vehicle prohibited; approaching stationary public safety vehicle and certain other vehicles with caution
   72.61   Driving over unprotected fire hose
   72.62   Placing injurious material on highway or depositing litter from motor vehicle
   72.63   Transporting child not in child-restraint system prohibited
   72.64   Occupant restraining devices
   72.65   (Reserved)
   72.66   Operating motor vehicle while wearing earphones or earplugs
   72.67   Chauffeured limousines and livery services
   72.68   Operating traction engine upon improved highway
   72.69   Excessive acceleration
School Buses
   72.80   Regulations concerning school buses
   72.81   Violation of regulations; report; investigation; citation; warning
   72.82   Restrictions on the operation of school buses
   72.83   School bus inspection
   72.84   School bus not used for school purposes
   72.85   Licensing by Department of Public Safety
   72.86   Registration and identification of school buses
   72.87   School bus marking
   72.88   Flashing light signal lamps
   72.89   Occupant restraining device for operator
Statutory reference:
   Notice of arrest of certain commercial drivers, see R.C. § 5577.14
   Standards for school buses, see O.A.C. Chapter 4501-5
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 72.01 LANES OF TRAVEL UPON ROADWAYS.
   (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)   (1)   Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the prevailing and lawful 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, and far enough to the right to allow passing by faster vehicles if such passing is safe and reasonable, except under any of the following circumstances:
         (a)   When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
         (b)   When preparing for a left turn;
         (c)   When the driver must necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on the driver's intended route.
      (2)   Nothing in division (B)(1) of this section requires a driver of a slower vehicle to compromise the driver's safety to allow overtaking by a faster vehicle.
   (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 § 70.99(B).
(R.C. § 4511.25)
§ 72.02 DRIVING THROUGH SAFETY ZONE.
   (A)   No vehicle shall at any time be driven through or within a safety zone.
   (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 § 70.99(B).
(R.C. § 4511.60)
§ 72.03 VEHICLES TRAVELING 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 § 70.99(B).
(R.C. § 4511.26)
§ 72.04 RULES GOVERNING OVERTAKING AND PASSING OF VEHICLES.
   (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 R.C. § 4511.35, a limited access highway as defined in 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.
      (4)   The operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a roadway shall leave a safe distance, but not less than three feet, when passing the bicycle and the operator of the motor vehicle shall maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.
(Ord. 13-2010, passed 12-1-10)
   (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 § 70.99(B).
(R.C. § 4511.27)
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