This month, Florida officials are highlighting the state’s Move Over Law and reminding motorists to move over for stopped emergency and utility vehicles. It’s especially important after a spike in crashes last year.
Last year, Florida Highway Patrol Captain Jeff Bissainthe says a lot of people failed to move over for law enforcement, first responders, or tow truck drivers.
“There were more than 200 crashes,” he said. “There were also over 5,518 citations issued in Florida for failing to move over.”
In recent years, that number had been less. Bissainthe attributes the spike to more people traveling due to the economy and the recent holiday travel.
“I believe we had a record year this year, as far as people traveling for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,” he added. “So, that’s going to bring more traffic and more dangers out there on the roadways. So, we just trying we just want people to abide by the Move Over Law, and also, help protect these workers out there.”
If you can’t move over or yield the right of way, Florida law also requires motorists to slow down 20 miles per hour below the speed limit.
For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.
