ORLANDO, Fla. – Along Florida’s highways, it’s not unusual to see law enforcement officers pulling over motorists or vehicles involved in accidents that have been moved to the shoulder.
While it might appear to be mere courtesy to give these vehicles extra space, in Florida, this practice is backed by legal requirements.
Since 2002, Florida has enforced a “Move Over” law, embedded in the state’s statutes to ensure safety on the roads.
The essence of this law is straightforward: drivers must shift over a lane when encountering any of the following on the roadside:
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• Emergency vehicles
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• Service vehicles
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Utility vehicles
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Disabled vehicles (i.e. stopped on the road with
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Parked vehicles with hazard lights flashing
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Emergency flares
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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.
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.
