Can you speed to pass a vehicle on the road in Ohio? Here’s what the law says
Let’s set the scene:
You’re already late for work and you got stuck behind someone going a little bit too slow on the road. But in order to pass the vehicle, you might have to speed just a smidge. Should you do it?
Well, let’s look at what Ohio law says.
Can you legally speed to pass a vehicle on the road in Ohio?
If you need to pass someone on the road in Ohio, don’t speed to do so.
Speeding for any reason is against the law in Ohio and will most likely get you in trouble with law enforcement.
Ohio’s speed limits are typically as follows (unless specified by road signs):
- 20 miles per hour in school zones
- 25 miles per hour in business and residential areas
- 50 miles per hour on controlled-access highways and expressways within municipal corporations
- 55 miles per hour on highways outside municipal corporations
60 miles per hour on two-lane state routes
All in all, if you want to legally pass someone on the road, be sure to do so in accordance with speeding laws.
But speeding laws aren’t the only restrictions you need to be aware of when passing a vehicle on the road.
Here are some other things to know:
What are some other passing laws in Ohio?
According to state laws:
- If you are passing someone, you “must signal to the vehicle to be overtaken, must pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and must not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.”
- If you don’t follow Ohio passing laws, you could face an improper passing penalty. This is a misdemeanor and comes with a fine of at least $150 as well as 30 hours of community service.
Have more questions? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com.
This story was originally published June 27, 2024 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Can you speed to pass a vehicle on the road in Ohio? Here’s what the law says."
