Roadside traffic stops by emergency personnel can be highly dangerous, especially on busy highways. Law enforcement officers and workers can be seriously injured or even killed by passing motorists who are not driving carefully in their presence. To combat these tragedies, Florida is one of forty-three states with a “Move Over” law.
Move Over Law
Florida law protects law enforcement officers, emergency personnel, sanitation workers, and public utility workers from being struck by passing vehicles. The first section of the law requires drivers to move over to the side of the road and clear any intersection when they hear sirens or exhaust whistles or see blue and red lights. The second section of the law requires drivers to change lanes when they approach an emergency or work vehicles parked on the shoulder of the road. If the driver is not on a multi-lane road or is unable to change lanes safely, then they should slow their vehicle down to 20 miles below the speed limit.
This Move Over Law provides emergency personnel and workers with some amount of safety when they are working on the side of the road. Breaking the law is a moving violation, and you can face $120 in fines and three points on your license.
Keeping Everyone Safe
Following the Florida Move Over Law is not only important for the safety of emergency personnel and workers, but also for your own safety and that of other drivers on the road. There are steps you can take to make sure everyone is safe around work and emergency vehicles:
- Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid driving distracted
- Watch for flashing lights
- Use your turn signal to indicate your intent to pull over or change lanes
- Move over as soon as you are aware that there is an emergency vehicle in the area. Don’t wait until you’re close to the vehicle.
Contact a Tampa Bay Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may want to consult with a Tampa Bay accident attorney. The attorneys at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk have 30 years of experience helping car accident victims. Contact us online or call us at 800-538-4878 to set up your free consultation today.