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 and passing upon right.
331.05   Overtaking, passing to left of center.
331.06   Additional restrictions on driving upon left side of roadway.
331.07   Hazardous or no passing zones.
331.08   Driving in marked lanes or continuous lines of traffic.
331.09   Following too closely.
331.10   Turning at intersections.
331.11   Turning into private driveway, alley or building.
331.12   "U" turns prohibited.
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.
331.17   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.
331.22   Driving onto roadway from place other than roadway: duty to yield.
331.23   Driving onto roadway from place other than roadway: stopping at sidewalk.
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 prohibited; approaching stationary public safety vehicle and certain other vehicles with caution.
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 intersection, cross-walk or grade crossing.
331.34   Failure to control; weaving; full time and attention.
331.35   Occupying a moving trailer or manufactured home.
331.36   Squealing tires, "peeling", cracking exhaust noises.
331.37   Driving upon sidewalks, street lawns or curbs.
331.38   Stopping for school bus; discharging children.
331.39   Damaging curb, sidewalk or street.
331.40   Littering from motor vehicle.
331.41   Wearing earplugs or earphones prohibited.
331.42   Texting while driving prohibited.
331.43   Use of electronic wireless communication devices by minors or probationary drivers while driving prohibited.
331.99   Penalty
   CROSS REFERENCES
   See sectional histories for similar State law
   Obedience to traffic control devices - see TRAF. 313.01
   Operation of bicycles and motorcycles - see TRAF. 373.01 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)   (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 § 303.99(b).
(ORC 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).
(ORC 4511.26)
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