SB 16 Ohio Senate · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

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

320
Passed
Total votes 32
Oct 29, 2025
D Democratic9
9 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican23
23 Yea
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