HIRAM, Ohio — Beginning Monday, April 18 through Thursday, April 21, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will conduct a traffic safety initiative presence on the Turnpike between Route 14 and Route 21 in Portage and Summit counties.
The initiative is targeting distracted driving in an effort to reduce crashes and raise awareness. Distracted driving has led to the deaths of 226 people during the last five years in Ohio, authorities said. During that same timeframe, 64,108 crashes attributed to distracted driving have occurred within the state.
The Highway Patrol will also focus on "move over, slow down violations" in the target enforcement zone. Ohio law states that drivers must move over to an adjacent lane when approaching any vehicle with flashing or rotating lights. In any case where moving over is not possible or another lane does not exist, drivers are required to slow down and proceed with caution. The “Move Over” law exists in all 50 states.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, troopers issued 864 citations for distracted driving and 356 citations for move over, slow down violations on the Ohio Turnpike in 2021.
They encourage motorists to use #677 when they see any dangerous or unlawful activity on Ohio’s roadways.
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Editor's Note: The above video is from a related story in which a local firefighter was struck and killed by a driver on an Ohio highway.