(a) Turn Signals Required. When operated upon a street, roadway, or any public or private property used by the public for the purpose of vehicular travel or parking, no operator of a bicycle, electric bicycle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or scooter, motorized bicycle or moped, low-speed micromobility device, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall turn the vehicle unless and until such person has exercised due care to ascertain that the movement can be made with reasonable safety nor without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided. When required, a signal of intention to turn or move right or left shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet (100') feet traveled by the vehicle before turning, except that in the case of a person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, low-speed micromobility device, or electric personal assistive mobility device the signal shall be made not less than one (1) time but is not required to be continuous. The operator of a bicycle, electric bicycle, low-speed micromobility device, or electric personal assistive mobility device is not required to make a signal if the bicycle, electric bicycle, low-speed micromobility device, or electric personal assistive mobility device is in a designated turn lane, and a signal shall not be given when the operator's hands are needed for the safe operation of the vehicle.
(b) Stop Signals Required. No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a bicycle, electric bicycle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or scooter, motorized bicycle or moped, low-speed micromobility device, or electric personal assistive mobility device without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give a signal.
(c) Appropriate Signals. Any stop or turn signal required by this section shall be given either by means of the hand and arm, or by signal lights that clearly indicate to both approaching and following traffic intention to turn or move left or right.
(ORC 4511.39)
(d) Hand and Arm Signals. All signals required by this section, when given by hand and arm, shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner, and such signals shall indicate as follows:
(1) Left turn, hand and arm extended horizontally;
(2) Right turn, hand and arm extended upward;
(3) Stop or decrease speed, hand and arm extended downward.
As an alternative to division (d)(2) of this section, a person operating bicycle, electric bicycle, low-speed micromobility device, or electric personal assistive mobility device may give a right turn signal by extending the right hand and arm horizontally and to the right side of the vehicle.
(ORC 4511.40)
(e) Penalties.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pled guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pled guilty to two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(2) 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 444.99(b) of this Traffic Code.
(ORC 4511.39; 4511.40)