CHAPTER 72: TRAFFIC RULES
Section
General Provisions
   72.001   Lanes of travel upon roadways
   72.002   Driving through safety zone
   72.003   Vehicles traveling in opposite directions
   72.004   Rules governing overtaking and passing of vehicles
   72.005   Permission to overtake and pass on the right
   72.006   Driving to left of center line
   72.007   Prohibition against driving upon left side of roadway
   72.008   Hazardous zones
   72.009   One-way highways and rotary traffic islands
   72.010   Rules for driving in marked lanes
   72.011   Space between moving vehicles
   72.012   Divided roadways
   72.013   Rules for turns at intersections
   72.014   U-turns and turning in roadway prohibited
   72.015   Starting and backing vehicles
   72.016   Turn and stop signals
   72.017   Hand and arm signals
   72.018   Prohibiting right turn on red
Right-of-Way
   72.030   Right-of-way at intersections
   72.031   Right-of-way when turning left
   72.032   Right-of-way at through highways; stop signs; yield signs
   72.033   Stop at sidewalk area; stop signs on private roads and driveways
   72.034   Right-of-way on public highway
   72.035   Pedestrian on sidewalk has right-of-way
   72.036   Right-of-way of public safety vehicles
   72.037   Funeral procession has right-of-way
   72.038   Pedestrians yield right-of-way to public safety vehicle
   72.039   Pedestrian on crosswalk has right-of-way
   72.040   Right-of-way yielded to blind person
   72.041   Right-of-way yielded by pedestrian
   72.042   Prohibiting play and equipment in the streets
Pedestrians
   72.055   Pedestrian movement in crosswalks
   72.056   Pedestrian walking along highway
   72.057   Prohibition against soliciting rides; riding on outside of vehicle
   72.058   Pedestrian on bridge or railroad crossing
   72.059   Persons operating motorized wheelchairs
   72.060   Intoxicated or drugged pedestrian hazard on highway
   72.061   Operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices
   72.062   Operation of personal delivery device on sidewalks and crosswalks
   72.063   Low-speed micromobility devices
Grade Crossings
   72.075   Stop signs at grade crossings
   72.076   Driving vehicle across railroad grade crossing
   72.077   Vehicles required to stop at grade crossings
   72.078   Slow-moving vehicles or equipment crossing railroad tracks
School Buses
   72.090   Regulations concerning school buses
   72.091   Violation of regulations; report; investigation; citation; warning
   72.092   Restrictions on the operation of school buses
   72.093   School bus inspection
   72.094   School bus not used for school purposes
   72.095   Licensing by Department of Public Safety
   72.096   Registration and identification of school buses
   72.097   School bus marking
   72.098   Flashing light signal lamps
   72.099   Occupant restraining device for operator
Prohibitions
   72.115   Obstruction and interference affecting view and control of driver
   72.116   Occupying travel trailer, fifth wheel vehicle, or manufactured or mobile home while in motion
   72.117   Driving upon closed highway prohibited
   72.118   Driving upon sidewalk area or paths exclusively for bicycles
   72.119   Obstructing passage of other vehicles
   72.120   Following an emergency or public vehicle prohibited; approaching stationary public safety vehicle and certain other vehicles with caution
   72.121   Driving over unprotected fire hose
   72.122   Placing injurious material on highway or depositing litter from motor vehicle
   72.123   Transporting child not in child-restraint system prohibited
   72.124   Occupant restraining devices
   72.125   Use of engine brakes prohibited
   72.126   Operating motor vehicle while wearing earphones or earplugs
   72.127   Chauffeured limousines and livery services
   72.128   Operating traction engine upon improved highway
   72.129   Cracking exhaust noises; peeling out
   72.130   Shortcutting across private property
   72.131   Texting while driving prohibited
   72.132   Use of electronic wireless communication devices by minors or probationary drivers while driving prohibited
Statutory reference:
   Notice of arrest of certain commercial drivers, see R.C. § 5577.14
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 72.001 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)
§ 72.002 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)
§ 72.003 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)
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