Ohio Truck Accident Demonstrates Importance of Move Over Law

It’s no secret that the highway is a dangerous place, but those who are affected most often by these risks are the men and women who put their lives on the line to ensure safety along these stretches of road. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, five firefighters and 12 law enforcement officers are killed annually in traffic accidents. Even more disturbing though, is the fact that one tow truck driver is killed every six days as the result of a motor vehicle collision. To bring into perspective just how common these collisions are, a 55-year-old tow truck driver was killed last month as the result of an Ohio truck accident. Reports indicate the crash happened at around 9:15 p.m. on Route 104, outside Columbus, Ohio. According to an article from The Columbus Dispatch, the victim was helping a woman with a disabled vehicle when a passing car suddenly struck him. The driver who was responsible for the collision was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance. The incident highlights the need for motorists to adhere to Ohio’s "move over" law. This piece of legislation requires vehicles to move one lane of traffic away from any stopped emergency vehicle with its lights activated—including tow trucks. If another lane is unavailable, drivers should slow down to at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we know the dangers first responders face on the job. That’s why our team of Cleveland personal injury attorneys encourages you to remember to move over the next time you see a stopped emergency vehicle along the highway. It could save a life.

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