Florida "Move Over" safety campaign for January 2024
Tallahassee, Florida – Numerous organizations are driving the "Move Over" message statewide ensuring all emergency, service professionals, utility workers and disabled motorists that work or are parked along Florida’s roadways Arrive Alive to their destinations.
The organizations include the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA), Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA), and AAA – The Auto Club Group.
While most drivers understand to pull over for emergency vehicles approaching from behind, state law also requires vehicles to move over (a lane) for certain emergency and service vehicles stopped on the side of the road, or slow down if they cannot safely move over. In 2022, 170 crashes and 14,130 citations were issued in Florida for motorists failing to move over. Those who were issued citations were primarily between the ages of 20 and 50.
“Moving over benefits everyone,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Protect not only emergency, utility, and sanitation vehicles, but also your family and loved ones, by keeping your eyes on the road and moving over when you see a vehicle, including a disabled vehicle on the side of the road. If you can’t move over, you should decrease your speed to 20 miles an hour and pass cautiously. Save a life and move over.”
Report Aggressive or Dangerous Drivers to *FHP (*347)
Throughout January 2024, FHP troopers will educate motorists they come into contact with about the Move Over Law. The public is encouraged to report aggressive or dangerous drivers by dialing *FHP (*347).
Move Over Law
All 50 states have Move Over laws, and Florida’s Move Over Law, section 316.126, F.S., was put into law in 2002. Initially introduced in 1971, the law required motorists to move or yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles. The law has been amended over the years to make roads safer. In 2014, utility and sanitation vehicles were added, and then in 2021, road and bridge maintenance or construction vehicles displaying warning lights were also included. This year (2023), the law was expanded (effective on January 1, 2024) to include moving over for all disabled vehicles on the side of the road that are stopped and display warning/hazard lights.
“Nearly 350 people are struck and killed outside a disabled vehicle each year,” said Michele Harris, Florida Public Affairs Director for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Do the right thing by slowing down and moving over for all vehicles on the roadside; an emergency vehicle or tow provider with flashing lights or a disabled vehicle belonging to a driver with their hazard lights on.”
Information on Florida’s Move Over Law can be found on FLHSMV’s Move Over webpage: flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/move-over.
In addition to the awareness campaign, FLHSMV educates new and young drivers on the Move Over Law year-round with information in the Florida Driver Handbook and includes Move Over questions on the Florida driver knowledge exam. For more information on the Move Over crash and citation dashboard visit the FLHSMV Move Over Safety Center: flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/move-over/move-over-crash-and-citation-dashboard.