January is Move Over Month! While majority of 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.
It’s easy to comply with Florida’s Move Over Law and to keep first responders safe:
Move Over
1. As soon as it is safe to do so, vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle, sanitation vehicle, utility service vehicle, wrecker, or road and bridge maintenance or construction vehicle when driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes.
2. Always signal your intention to change lanes.
3. Be prepared to allow those who are attempting to move over into the next lane.
Slow Down
1. If moving over cannot be safely accomplished, slow down to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 mph or greater; or travel at 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less when driving on a two-lane road.
When you fail to Move Over, you put yourself and others at risk; you could crash into a vehicle or worker.
