Ohio speed limits and key traffic laws

By the end of this topic you can

• You can match Ohio's default speed limits to the right type of road.
• You can explain the assured clear distance ahead rule.
• You can decide when you must stop for a school bus on two-lane and four-lane roads.
• You can apply the move over law to stopped emergency and service vehicles.
• You can say when it is legal to cross a solid yellow line to pass.

What you need to know and understand

• Default limits in the Digest include 15 mph in municipal alleys, 20 mph in school zones at set times, 25 mph on municipal streets and 70 mph on rural freeways.
• Even at or below the posted limit, you must be able to stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
• On roads with fewer than four lanes, traffic in both directions must stop at least 10 feet from a stopped school bus with red lights flashing.
• On roads with four or more lanes, only traffic going the same way as the bus must stop.
• Speeding in a work zone can bring doubled fines and even jail time.
• The move over law covers stopped police, fire, emergency, tow, road maintenance, waste collection and utility vehicles with warning lights on.
• Signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.

Ohio's default speed limits

Posted signs always take priority, but where no other limit is posted, Ohio law sets these speeds. In bad weather, heavy traffic or poor visibility, a reasonable speed may be well below them.

• 15 mph: alleys within a municipality.
• 20 mph: school zones during recess and while children are arriving or leaving during normal school hours.
• 25 mph: streets within a municipality.
• 35 mph: state routes or through highways within municipalities outside business districts (not controlled-access highways).
• 50 mph: state routes within municipalities outside urban districts.
• 55 mph: freeways with paved shoulders inside municipalities.
• 70 mph: rural freeways.

School buses and work zones

Amber lights on a school bus mean it is about to stop, so prepare to stop. When the bus stops, red lights flash and a stop arm may swing out. On a road with fewer than four lanes, every driver approaching from either direction must stop at least 10 feet away and wait until the bus moves or the driver signals you on. On four or more lanes, only traffic behind the bus going the same way must stop. You must stop even if the bus has no stop arm.

In work zones, follow flaggers, slow down, keep a space cushion around workers and never tailgate.

Move over and passing slow vehicles

When you approach a stopped emergency, road service, waste collection, highway maintenance or utility vehicle with its lights on, change into a lane not next to it if it is safe. If you cannot change lanes, slow down and pass with caution.

Normally you may not cross a solid yellow line in your lane to pass. Ohio makes one exception: you may cross it to pass a slow-moving vehicle, such as farm equipment or a bicycle, if it is going less than half the posted speed limit, you do not exceed the limit while passing and the oncoming lane is clear.

Common mistakes

• Thinking the posted limit is always a safe speed. The assured clear distance rule applies in every condition.
• Driving past a stopped school bus on a two-lane road because you are coming from the other direction.
• Staying in the lane next to a stopped tow truck or police car when you could safely move over.
• Forgetting school zone limits during recess as well as at start and end of the school day.

Test yourself: Ohio speed limits and key traffic laws

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• How to Get a Driver’s License in Ohio
• Moving to Ohio
• Ohio 50-Hour Affidavit