TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, is reminding drivers of the "Move Over Law" this month.
Florida Highway Patrol says there were over 130 traffic crashes in Florida in 2013 that involved motorists who violated the Move Over Law. And of those, 81 resulted in injuries, 2 in fatalities.
The Move Over Law was enacted in 2002, to help protect law enforcement officers, emergency workers, and tow truck drivers, when they are performing duties along the roadside. And in July, 2014, the law was expanded to include sanitation and utility vehicles.
Violating the Move Over Law puts motorists and those who work along our roadways at risk. It can also result in a fine and points on your driving record.
There are two ways to comply with the Move Over law:
In a Multi-Lane Roadway:
· Drivers must vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck, sanitation, or utility vehicle. (Always signal your intention to change lanes.)
· Drivers must slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit if they cannot move over safely.
· Drivers who are not in the lane closest to the stationary vehicle should be prepared to allow those who are to move over into their lane.
Two-Lane Roadway:
· Drivers must slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
· If the speed limit is 20 mph or less, drivers must travel at 5 mph.
