Florida's Move Over Law: Who Must Comply?

Florida's 'Move Over' law requires drivers to move over a lane when they can safely do so for stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service vehicles, and tow trucks or wreckers. If drivers are unable to move over, they must slow down to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit. The law was enacted in 2002 to curb the number of accidents caused by motorists against law enforcement officers, first responders, and other emergency officials who are injured or killed during stops on Florida's highways and roads. Violating the 'Move Over' law will result in a fine, fees, and points on the driver's record.

Florida's Move Over Law

The Move Over Law is in place to protect those who serve the public on the roadways and give them a safe space to work. When a driver fails to move over for stopped or disabled vehicles, they put the safety of law enforcement, first responders, and service professionals at risk. Violating the Move Over law can result in a fine, fees, and points on the driver's record.

The law applies to all motorists on Florida's roadways, including those driving on interstate highways or two-lane roads. On a multi-lane road, drivers must move to one lane away from the roadside vehicle if it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to move over, drivers must slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer.

The Move Over Law was changed in 2014 to include sanitation vehicles and utility service vehicles. The law is now part of section 316.126 of the Florida Statutes, which was originally introduced in 1971 to require motorists to move or yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles.

Who is protected by the Move Over Law

Florida's Move Over Law was enacted in 2002 to reduce the number of accidents involving law enforcement officers, first responders, and other emergency officials on Florida's highways and roads. The law was expanded in 2014 to include sanitation and utility service vehicles.

The Move Over Law requires motorists to move over when it is safe to do so for any authorized law enforcement, emergency, or service vehicles displaying visible signals while stopped on the roadside. This includes Road Rangers, sanitation vehicles, tow trucks, utility service vehicles, and wreckers.

If a driver cannot vacate the lane closest to the emergency or service vehicle, they must slow down to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. If the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, the driver must slow down to 5 miles per hour.

Violating the Move Over Law puts both the driver and public safety professionals at risk. It can result in a fine, fees, and points on the driver's license and driving record.

The Move Over Law is designed to protect law enforcement officers, first responders, and other emergency and service professionals who are working on the side of the road. By giving them adequate space to do their jobs, the law helps to increase safety on Florida's roadways.

What to do on a two-lane road

Florida's Move Over Law was enacted in 2002 to protect law enforcement officers, first responders, and other emergency officials who are at risk of injury or death during stops on Florida's highways and roads. The law requires drivers to take specific actions when encountering emergency vehicles on the roadside.

When you're on a two-lane road in Florida and you come across an emergency or law enforcement vehicle parked with its lights flashing, you are required by law to slow down to a speed that is 20 mph below the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is already 20 mph or less, you must slow down to 5 mph. You should approach with caution and be prepared to follow any instructions given by an emergency worker on the scene.

It's important to note that you should not stop your vehicle in the roadway or block the flow of traffic. Instead, you should maintain a safe speed and stay alert. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and pay attention to your surroundings, including other vehicles and signs. This will help you anticipate problems and react quickly to any potential dangers.

When passing another vehicle on a two-lane road in Florida, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you stay a safe distance behind the vehicle. If you decide to pass, only do so when it is safe, and make sure you have a passing zone indicated by a broken yellow line. No passing zones are indicated by a solid yellow line and are typically on curves, hills, near intersections, or bridges. Before passing, use your left signal or tap your horn to alert the driver in front of you. When you have completed the pass, signal a lane change to the right, and don't move back to the right side of the road until you can see the front tires of the vehicle you passed in your mirror.

Remember, violating the Move Over law can result in a fine and points on your license. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure the safety of emergency responders and other drivers on Florida's two-lane roads.

Consequences of violating the Move Over Law

Florida's Move Over Law is designed to protect emergency responders, law enforcement officers, and service workers on the state's roadways. The law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching certain vehicles stopped on the side of the road, creating a safer environment for those working in potentially dangerous conditions.

So, what happens if you violate this law? Well, there can be several consequences:

Fines and Monetary Penalties

Violating Florida's Move Over Law can result in significant fines and monetary penalties. The base fine for a first-time offender is typically $60, but this amount can increase substantially when additional fees and court costs are included. In many cases, the total financial penalty for a first offense can exceed $100. Repeat offenders face even higher fines, with subsequent violations within a certain timeframe often resulting in doubled or tripled fines.

Points on Your Driver's License

In addition to monetary fines, violating the Move Over Law in Florida will also result in points being added to your driver's license. A single violation typically adds three points to your record, which is a significant number. Accumulating points can lead to license suspension: 12 points within 12 months result in a 30-day suspension, 18 points within 18 months lead to a 3-month suspension, and 24 points within 36 months result in a one-year suspension.

Potential Criminal Charges

While most violations result in civil penalties, there are circumstances where more serious criminal charges may apply, such as reckless driving or, in the case of an accident or injury, vehicular manslaughter or aggravated assault with a motor vehicle. These charges can carry significant prison time and substantial fines.

Court Appearances and Legal Proceedings

Some violations, particularly those involving accidents, injuries, or repeat offenses, may require court appearances and legal proceedings. During these proceedings, a judge will review the circumstances of the offense, consider prior violations, and determine appropriate penalties, which may include fines, license suspension, mandatory traffic school, or other consequences.

Impact on Insurance Rates

Traffic violations related to the Move Over Law can also increase your insurance premiums. Insurance companies view these violations as indicators of risky driving behavior, and rates may rise by 10% to 25% following a violation. These increased rates can persist for several years, typically affecting premiums for three to five years from the date of the violation.

In conclusion, violating Florida's Move Over Law can result in a range of consequences, from fines and points on your license to more severe penalties, including criminal charges and court proceedings. Understanding these potential consequences is essential for all Florida drivers to ensure compliance with this crucial safety regulation.

How to report aggressive drivers

Florida's Move Over Law requires drivers to move over a lane when they can safely do so for stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service vehicles, tow trucks or wreckers, maintenance or construction vehicles with displaying warning lights, and any disabled vehicle on the side of the road. If you are unable to move over, you must slow down to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit, or 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less.

Violating the Move Over law will result in a fine, fees, and points on your driving record. In 2022, there were 170 crashes and more than 14,000 citations issued for motorists failing to move over in Florida.

Aggressive driving is a serious issue in Florida, and the state is taking steps to address it. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has launched campaigns such as Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks (TACT) to crack down on aggressive drivers and promote safe driving habits.

• Keep a safe distance: When sharing the road with an aggressive driver, it is important to keep calm and maintain a safe distance. Avoid engaging with the aggressive driver and try to ignore any attempts to start an argument.
• Collect information: If you witness aggressive driving, make note of the vehicle's license plate number, make and model, and direction of travel. This information will be crucial when reporting the incident.
• Report to law enforcement: You can report incidents of aggressive driving or road rage to Florida law enforcement by calling 911 or FHP (347) on your cell phone. Provide the details you have collected about the vehicle and driver.
• Follow traffic laws: One of the best ways to prevent road rage and aggressive driving is to follow local traffic laws. Use directional lights when changing lanes, obey speed limits, and avoid texting or using your phone while driving.
• Stay alert: Paying attention to your surroundings and staying alert can help you anticipate problems and react quickly to any potentially dangerous situations.
• Be tolerant: While it can be frustrating when another driver makes a mistake or drives aggressively, try to be tolerant and understanding. However, if you feel threatened or unsafe, don't hesitate to report the incident to law enforcement.

Frequently asked questions