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April 5th, 2023
Imagine the scenario where you are operating your vehicle along a roadway in Ohio and you are violently rear-ended by the vehicle behind you. In this instance, the police department shows up following the accident and investigates the matter. After speaking to the parties and further investigating the collision scene, the investigating officer cites the person who rear-ended you for their actions. You subsequently obtain a copy of the policy report, and you see that the at-fault driver was cited for Ohio Revised Code § 4511.21. You are wondering what is a violation of Ohio Revised Code § 4511.21.
Ohio Revised Code § 4511.21 is the assured clear distance ahead provision in the Ohio Revised Code. Specifically, Ohio Revised Code § 4511.21 states:
(A) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar at a speed greater or less than is reasonable or proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the street or highway and any other conditions, and no person shall drive any motor vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar in and upon any street or highway at a greater speed than will permit the person to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
Ohio Revised Code § 4511.21 (A).
As one can tell, the above cited excerpt articulates two maintain points of how vehicles must be operated in Ohio. First, it states that a person should not operate a motor vehicle at a speed that is greater or less than is reasonable considering the “traffic, surface and width of the street or highway and any other conditions.” Second, Ohio Revised Code § 4511.21 dictates that a person cannot drive a motor vehicle at a greater speed than will allow the person to bring it a stop within the assured clear distance ahead. This essentially means that you cannot operate your vehicle at speed that will not allow you to prudently and safely stop without striking the vehicle in front of you.
This Ohio Revised Code section outlines some of the manners in which one must operate one’s vehicle in the state of Ohio. As such, when you are operating your vehicle in Ohio keep in mind Ohio Revised Code § 4511.21. It is essential that you understand Ohio Revised Code § 4511.21 and its implications. You should make sure you leave enough space in between you and the vehicle in front of you to react to traffic conditions in front of you and be able to bring your vehicle to a prudent and safe stop, if necessary.
Being in proper and adequate control of your vehicle can go a long way in keeping you, your family and other drivers on the roadway safe. To that end, always be attentive when operating a motor vehicle and be prepared to react to changes in traffic conditions. Be safe behind the wheel!
