The bill would require drivers to proceed with caution and change to a lane away from a waste collection vehicle if traveling on a roadway with multiple lanes in the same direction. And regardless of the lane count, a driver must proceed with caution and maintain a speed safe for road, weather and traffic conditions.
Under the proposal, a driver found to violate the move-over requirement can face a minor misdemeanor moving violation charge and a fine up to $300 plus court costs.
Related: Ohio may force drivers to move over for garbage trucks
The bill was approved in October by the Senate, 32-0.
A single garbage truck can make 600-900 stops a day, according to the National Waste and Recycling Association. Similar legislation has passed in 16 states including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York and West Virginia, according to the organization.
Related: Trash truck tragedy: ‘I lost both my legs and quite a bit more of myself’
Trash collectors have the fifth-highest death rate among civilian jobs in the country, according to federal data.
The Move Over law applying to emergency workers went into effect in September 1999, following the deaths of Centerville Police Officer John P. Kalaman and Washington Twp. Firefighter Robert O’Toole on I-675 in January 1998 while assisting with an accident.
Related: ‘Too many people hurt’ by not moving over for cops, FOP says
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