Rep. Claggett Votes in Support of Philip Wigal's Law

(COLUMBUS, OHIO) - State Representative Thad Claggett (R-Licking County) yesterday voted in support of legislation strengthening Ohio's Move Over Law and promoting public safety passed through the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously.

House Bill 132, also known as Philip Wigal's Law, creates a tiered penalty structure for violating the Move Over Law, including enhanced penalties for repeat offenders and drivers who cause injury or death by not slowing down or moving over on the roadway for stationary vehicles with flashing lights, such as police, fire, and EMS personnel; road maintenance crews; construction workers; utility vehicles; and tow truck operators.

The bill is named in honor of Firefighter Philip Wigal, who was struck and killed by a semi-truck while responding to a crash on I-71 near West Salem in 2022. The driver of the semi-truck failed to slow down or move over, tragically taking Wigal's life.

"Ohio has had a move over and slow down law for a long time, but we continue to lose our first responders to this problem on our highways," said Rep. Claggett. "Today, the Ohio House has passed a bill to strengthen our laws on this subject and to raise even more awareness of this critical safety procedure."

Updated penalties under House Bill 132 are as follows:

• First Violation: Fine up to $300 (Current Law)
• Subsequent Violations (within one year): Fine up to $1,000
• Violation Resulting in Injury: Fine up to $5,000 and potential license suspension
• Violation Resulting in Death: Fine up to $10,000, charge of vehicular homicide, and license suspension
  

House Bill 132 now goes to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.