Knowing and following the laws and rules of the road are vastly important when it comes to staying safe on the road, and changes to Florida’s Mover Over law are aimed at ensuring all motorists are safe on Florida’s highways and roadways. See the adjustments to the law that every driver in the Sunshine State needs to be aware of.
Florida’s Original Move Over Law
Florida’s original Move Over law, enacted in 2002 and updated in 2014, required drivers to safely move over a lane to give extra room to a variety of stopped vehicles, including law enforcement vehicles, emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks, utility service vehicles, sanitation vehicles, tow trucks, and construction or maintenance vehicles with warning lights flashing.
If moving over is not an option, the Florida Move Over law allowed motorists to remain in their lane but slow down to at least 20 mph below the speed limit; if the speed limit was 20 mph or lower, then motorists were required to slow down to 5 mph.
Florida’s Move Over law was part of a nation-wide effort to decrease injuries and fatalities of both motorists and the emergency personnel stopped on the sides of the roads. Moving over and/or slowing down creates a wider space between stopped emergency vehicles and driving motorists, and this in turn reduces crashes and increases safety.
Florida’s New Move Over Law
All of the initial points of the original Move Over law in Florida still stand, but there is a new addition. Florida drivers are also now required to move over or slow down for any disabled vehicle on the side of the road. This is to further ensure the safety of passing motorists, the occupants of the stopped or disabled vehicle, and any emergency personnel who may be present at the scene.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) maintains that law enforcement can now issue citations for failure to move over or slow down, which “will result in a fine, fees, and points on your driving record.” FLHSMV shared that there were 170 crashes in 2022 from motorists failing to move over or slow down and over 14,000 citations written for this violation.
If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road in your vehicle, make sure to use your 4-way hazard lights, flares, or other emergency signals to alert other motorists; and if you see a stopped or stranded vehicle on the side of the road, remember to move over or slow down.
Safety is always our leading concern at Tucker Paving. We have nearly 30 years of experience in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. We complete projects for residential, commercial, and municipal clients. Contact us by calling (863) 299-2262, or fill out our contact form online, and let us help you with your next project.
