COLUMBUS, Ohio - Two Ohio lawmakers and the police officer lobby in Ohio want tougher penalties for drivers who injure a police officer by not moving over or slowing down when approaching a traffic stop.
The recommendation from the FOP is to make it a first-degree misdemeanor for failing to slow down or move over when approaching a police officer making a traffic stop, and that officer winds up injured. Ohio FOP President Jay McDonald says the timing of the bill's introduction is no accident.
"This weekend, many of us will travel to Washington to begin Police Week and May 15 is National Police Officer Memorial Day. We will add the names of 234 officers to the police memorial in DC," McDonald says.
He says a public awareness campaign with radio public service announcements, and social media hashtag "MoveOver" is also being started.