State Reps. Craig, Miller Testify on Phillip Wigal's Law in Senate Committee

State Representatives Meredith Craig (R-Smithville) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) provided sponsor testimony yesterday before the Senate Judiciary Committee for House Bill 132 - Phillip Wigal's Law - legislation strengthening Ohio's Move Over Law and promoting public safety.

"Our emergency roadside workers and first responders put themselves in harm's way to serve the public, and Ohio has a responsibility to ensure their safety is a top priority," said Craig. "I look forward to continuing to work with my Senate colleagues to move this legislation forward and secure its passage."

"Phillip Wigal's Law honors a hero while strengthening protections for the first responders and roadside workers who keep Ohio safe," said Miller. "By reinforcing the Move Over Law with stronger penalties, we are working to prevent tragedies and ensure everyone makes it home safely."

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.

The current penalty for drivers who fail to move over or slow down is limited to a $300 fine.

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 unanimously passed in the Ohio House with a 93-0 vote in October. The bill received its first hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits further consideration.

Watch Rep. Craig and Rep. Miller's testimony here.