ORLANDO, Fla. – As you travel along Florida’s highways, you often encounter scenes like police vehicles pulling over drivers or accidents shifted to the roadside.

While it might seem like simple courtesy to give these vehicles space, in Florida, there’s a law that mandates it.

Since 2002, Florida’s “Move Over” law has been in place, requiring drivers to take specific actions.

The law mandates that motorists change lanes when they come across the following stopped on the roadside:

• Emergency vehicles

• Service vehicles

• Utility vehicles

• Disabled vehicles

• Parked vehicles with hazard lights flashing

• Emergency flares

• Visible emergency signage

But if you can’t move over, then the rules dictate that you must instead slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is 20 mph or less, then you must slow down to 5 mph.

According to the FLHSMV, the most likely group to violate the Move Over Act are drivers between the ages of 20 and 29.

That can be a real problem, as violating the law comes with penalties like fines, fees and points on your driving record, state officials say.

“The simple act of moving over gives law enforcement, emergency first responders and other service vehicles adequate space to do their jobs and can greatly increase safety on Florida’s roadways,” the FLHSMV explains.