Under Florida’s Move Over Law, passed in 2002, drivers are required to take specific precautions to ensure the safety of law enforcement officers, utility service vehicles, tow trucks, and other emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road. The law aims to reduce motor vehicle accidents that result in injuries or fatalities to first responders and other workers during Florida traffic stops.
When approaching an emergency vehicle with lights flashing on a roadway with two or more lanes, drivers must move over one lane if it is safe to do so. If moving over is not possible, drivers must reduce their speed to 20 MPH below the posted speed limit. This also applies to utility service vehicles and tow trucks performing roadside duties.
Florida’s Move Over Law protects those who risk their lives to assist others and ensures that all road users are more vigilant. By following these rules, drivers contribute to a safer environment for everyone on Florida’s roads.
The Move Over Law has been expanded in 2023, and Florida drivers must understand the details below. If you were hurt in a car accident recently and have questions about a claim, call CarAccidentAttorney.com for more information.
Why Do Stopped Vehicle Accidents Happen?
Far too many accidents occur in Florida because of stopped law enforcement vehicles or other authorized emergency vehicles on the side of the road. Despite laws regulating vehicular traffic, such as Florida law and the Move Over Law, many drivers fail to notice these vehicles, leading to disastrous consequences.
Accidents often happen on two-lane roads or interstate highways when drivers do not adhere to the posted speed limit or fail to slow down for an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights. The absence of posting emergency signage or driver distraction can exacerbate the risks.
To prevent these accidents, drivers must remain vigilant and follow traffic laws designed to protect those near the roadway, such as those responding to emergencies. Recognizing the presence of such emergency vehicles and adjusting driving behavior accordingly can help reduce these preventable incidents.
There are three significant reasons for stopped vehicle accidents in Florida and nationwide:
- Drivers ignoring stopped vehicles. They may be distracted by a cell phone, radio, GPS, eating and drinking, or passenger conversations. These distractions may cause them to slam into a stopped vehicle.
- Speeding drivers. They might not have enough time to slow down.
- Drivers who don’t adjust to driving conditions. It might be nighttime or rain and fog reduce visibility. Drivers are required under the law to slow down during adverse weather to prevent accidents.
Florida Move Over Law Overview
Florida is one of many states that passed a law requiring drivers to yield the right of way or provide sufficient space for stopped emergency vehicles. The law states that drivers must move over or slow down for the following vehicles when their lights are flashing:
- Law enforcement
- Emergency
- Sanitation
- Utility service
- Tow trucks and wreckers
- Disabled vehicles (new in 2023)
There are two parts of the law. The first part requires you to provide right of way if an emergency vehicle is approaching using its siren or lights. So, drivers need to pull over to the side of the road. This usually means pulling over to the shoulder or as close to the curb as possible.
The second part of the Move Over Law deals with moving traffic and requires you to move over one lane. If not, you should slow down at least 20 MPH under the speed limit.
If you were injured because another driver didn’t move over, you could be entitled to compensation in a claim or lawsuit. Call CarAccidentAttorney.com to learn if your case qualifies.
2023 Changes To The Florida Move Over Law
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Florida has high death rates involving roadside accidents in Jacksonville and many other cities in the state. Many of these incidents occur because drivers fail to move over or slow down when approaching stopped vehicles. There were 170 accidents and 14,000 citations in Florida in 2022 for drivers who did not move over.
There have been many accidents across the country because of stopped vehicles. The following are 2016 to 2018 statistics for crashes involving stopped cars in the US:
- Over 550 fatalities
- Over 14,000 injuries
- Deaths and injuries caused $8.5 billion in medical costs and lost wages
- In 95% of these accidents, a moving motor vehicle struck a stopped vehicle
- In 50% of the fatal cases, someone near the stopped vehicle was hit by a passing vehicle
The Florida Move Over Law was passed and recently updated to address the dangers police, first responders, construction workers, and others face when stopped on Florida roads. If drivers don’t give enough space to stopped vehicles, people will be at a higher risk of severe and fatal injuries in a car accident.
As mentioned earlier, the law requires drivers to move over one lane or reduce speed by 20 MPH below the limit when a stopped emergency vehicle’s lights flash on the roadside. Because of the danger that anyone stopped on the road experiences, the law was updated recently. The Move Over Law also now applies to all disabled vehicles, providing more protection to anyone stopped on the shoulder or median.
If you see a disabled vehicle near the side of the road in Fort Lauderdale, you need to slow down if you cannot pull over or move over one lane. Drivers in Florida must take these actions whether there are people near the vehicle or not. The updated law also applies to any stopped vehicle with flares or emergency signs.
Florida Move Over Law Penalties
Miami drivers who fail to comply with Florida’s Move Over Law may face significant penalties, including fines, court fees, and three points added to their driving record. While these penalties may not seem severe, the associated costs can be substantial, and accumulating points can eventually lead to the suspension of driving privileges for months or even years.
Florida law requires drivers to move over or slow down for stopped vehicles, such as those operated by a law enforcement officer or such emergency vehicle, on the side of a two-lane road or an interstate highway. Ignoring this law not only endangers the safety of one or more persons working near the roadway but also compromises highway safety.
In addition to penalties, the state has implemented an educational awareness campaign informing drivers about the importance of following the law and using precautions such as hazard lights or emergency flares to signal their presence. Complying with the Move Over Law helps protect everyone on Florida’s roads and ensures a safer driving environment for all.
How To Avoid Stopped Vehicle Accidents
Today, Florida drivers are required by law to slow down or move over for stopped vehicles. You can avoid a stopped vehicle accident by following these tips:
- Purchase a vehicle with a collision avoidance system: Many modern cars have front-crash prevention features, including automatic braking and object detection that can reduce the chances of rear-ending other vehicles, including stopped ones.
- Always obey the speed limit and slow down in bad weather: The faster you drive, the less time you have to slow down and stop in an emergency. Many stopped vehicle accidents happen in Florida because of speeding drivers who didn’t have time to stop before hitting a vehicle on the roadside.
- Eliminate driver distractions: If you don’t give complete attention to driving at all times, the chances of a severe accident rise. Never text, check emails, scroll social media, or do anything else that removes your attention from the road when driving.
Contact A Florida Car Accident Attorney Now
Were you injured in an auto accident in West Palm Beach or another city in Florida? If another driver caused the incident, you should not try to settle the claim alone. An aggressive and experienced Florida car accident attorney will advocate for your rights and aim for maximum compensation for your losses. For immediate legal assistance, call CarAccidentAttorney.com. CarAccidentAttorney.com is a personal injury law firm directory.