TAMPA, Fla. – January is Move Over awareness month for the state of Florida. The law requires passing motorists to give adequate space to law enforcement, emergency medical, roadside assistance personnel, sanitation and utility service vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road.
“This law is in place to protect the ones who protects us,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “If you are caught violating the “Move Over” law, you will have to pay a fine which can cost up to $120, as well as put three points on your driver’s license.”
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According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, from 2012 to 2014 crashes increased 41 percent and traffic citations increased 68 percent because motorists did not comply with the Move Over law. AAA offers theses precautionary tips while driving on Florida’s roadways:
· Use common sense: Watch for situations where emergency vehicles, sanitation and utility service vehicles are pulled off on the side of the road.
· Two-Lane Roadway: When approaching an emergency vehicle with lights flashing parked on the side of a two-lane road, you MUST slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit and approach with caution unless otherwise directed by an emergency worker on the scene.
· Multi-Lane Roadway: Slow down when you see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle on the roadside and - if you can - move over into an adjacent lane if possible. If you can’t switch lanes, please reduce your speed to 20 miles below the posted speed limit.
By following these simple rules we are giving law enforcement officials and other emergency personnel space to do their jobs while saving lives simultaneously