Florida's "Move Over" Law

One of the least understood traffic laws in Florida is the "Move Over" law from 2002. This law requires drivers to "move over" or "slow down" when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle that is stopped on a highway in Florida. The specific statute is 316.126(1)(b).

The website of the Florida Highway Patrol outlines the important provisions of this law along with a video clip to explain the law to drivers.

Effective July 1, 2002, on interstate highways or other highways with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a roadway with their emergency lights activated, are required to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, as soon as it is safe to do so.

When approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a two-lane roadway with their emergency lights activated, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater; or travel at five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.

We realize many drivers do not move over or slow down as required out of ignorance to the law rather than due to indifference. While ignorance is not a defense, we believe there is a need to educate the public before engaging in aggressive enforcement efforts. So for that reason our Traffic Unit conducted an educational blitz this past Friday to let drivers know about the law. We went ahead and published notice of this effort via our media blog, which was picked up by at least one local blog, Lakeland Local, and the newspaper.

LPD Traffic Officers started this initiative around 7:30 AM and wrapped up at 3:00 PM along Harden Boulevard between Beacon Road and Lakeside Village Shopping Center.

Interested in the results? Officers made numerous traffic stops for violations, which included:

• 106 Educational warnings for "Move Over" violations (no citations issued)
• 2 Moving violations
• 5 Non-moving violations
• 7 Seatbelt violations
• 2 Criminal traffic violations
• 1 Misdemeanor arrest
• 1 Felony traffic arrest

We want to encourage drivers to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped along the road. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel are killed on our roadways for doing their jobs because drivers are not paying attention.

Please, follow the law and move over or slow down. You may just save a life.

- Asst Chief Bill LePere