Establish road rules around distressed stationary vehicles
SB 16 amends Ohio's Revised Code (section 4511.213) to require drivers to change lanes or proceed with caution when approaching a stationary vehicle in distress on a roadway. This law directly affects all drivers traveling on roads where vehicles may be stopped due to mechanical issues or other emergencies. The key provision prohibits drivers from failing to take these actions, aiming to improve safety for both the stranded vehicle occupants and other road users. The change updates existing traffic law without introducing new penalties, applying to all public roadways in Ohio.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Oct 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2025
Last action Nov 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
As Introduced
→
As Passed by the Senate
·
4 edits
·
Oct 29, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was amended to add new cosponsors and expand enforcement provisions. Most notably, a new division was added to clarify that the distracted driving fine does not apply when the stationary vehicle is one in distress, and an additional provision was added to prevent arrest or conviction records for violations when the vehicle is in distress.
Scope change
The scope of enforcement was modified to provide an exception for distracted driving fines when approaching a vehicle in distress, and to exclude such violations from criminal records.
ENFORCEMENT
Added a provision stating that the distracted driving fine does not apply when the stationary vehicle is a vehicle in distress.
Added a provision stating that arrests or convictions for violations involving vehicles in distress do not constitute a criminal record and do not need to be reported on employment or license applications.
Modified the penalty section to include a reference to division (F) when determining fines for repeated offenses.
TECHNICAL
Added additional cosponsors to the bill.
Floor votes · Senate Oct 29, 2025
How they voted
32–0
Passed
Total votes 32
Oct 29, 2025
D
Democratic9
100% Yea
R
Republican23
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Nov 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
Nov 4, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
lower
Oct 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Jan 29, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Jan 22, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 16
Scope: OH
Hi! I can help you understand SB 16. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline