CHAPTER 432
Operation Generally
432.01   Driving upon right side of roadway; exceptions.
432.02   Passing to right when proceeding in opposite directions.
432.03   Overtaking, passing to left; driver's duties.
432.04   Overtaking, passing to right of vehicle.
432.05   Overtaking, passing to left of centerline.
432.06   Driving upon left side of roadway.
432.07   Hazardous or no passing zones.
432.08   Driving within lanes or continuous lines of traffic.
432.09   Following too closely.
432.10   Turning at intersections.
432.11   "U" turns restricted.
432.12   Starting and backing vehicles.
432.13   Signals before changing course, turning or stopping.
432.14   Hand and arm signals.
432.15   Right-of-way at intersections.
432.16   Intersections at which traffic control signals fail or malfunction.
432.17   Right-of-way when turning left.
432.18   Operation of vehicle at stop and yield signs.
432.19   Emergency or public safety vehicles at stop signals or signs.
432.20   Right-of-way of public safety or coroner's vehicle.
432.205   Driving while approaching stationary vehicles and certain other vehicles with flashing lights.
432.21   Right-of-way at private driveway, alley or building.
432.22   Stop signs on private roads and driveways.
432.23   Right-of-way of funeral procession.
432.24   Driving and parking upon sidewalks, tree lawns or curbs.
432.25   Driver's view and control to be unobstructed by load or persons.
432.26   Driving upon street posted as closed for repair.
432.27   Following and parking near emergency or safety vehicles.
432.28   Driving over fire hose.
432.29   Driving through safety zone.
432.30   One-way streets and rotary traffic islands.
432.31   Driving upon divided roadways.
432.32   Stopping for school bus; actuating visual signals; discharging children.
432.33   Driving across grade crossings.
432.34   Stopping at grade crossings.
432.35   Slow-moving vehicles or equipment at grade crossings.
432.36   Obstructing intersections, crosswalks or grade crossings.
432.37   "Peeling"; cracking exhaust noises.
432.38   Shortcutting across private property.
432.39   Entering and exiting controlled-access highway.
432.40   Weaving; full time and attention.
432.41   Operation on paths set aside for bicycles.
432.42   Littering from motor vehicles.
432.43   Use of earphones while driving.
432.435   Use of mobile telephone while driving.
432.44   Entering fire lines and danger zones.
432.45   Space between moving vehicles.
432.46   Texting while driving prohibited.
432.47   Use of electronic wireless communication devices by minors or probationary drivers while driving prohibited.
 
432.99   Penalty.
   CROSS REFERENCES
   See section histories for similar State law
   Obedience to traffic control devices - see TRAF. 414.01
   Yielding right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks - see TRAF. 416.09
   Operation of bicycles and motorcycles generally - see TRAF. 444.01 et seq.
   Operation of snowmobiles and all-purpose vehicles - see TRAF. 446.03, 446.04
432.01   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 § 408.02(b).
(R.C. § 4511.25)
432.02   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 § 408.02(b).
(R.C. § 4511.26)
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