Are you complying with this new Florida driving law? See what's required
But did you know that Florida's Move Over law expanded in 2024 to include all vehicles?
Roadway signs across the state still focus on emergency vehicles — including police cars, fire trucks and Road Rangers, the crews that help stranded drivers with a flat tire or a dead battery. But the Move Over law now requires drivers to switch lanes or slow down for any vehicle stopped on the side of the highway.
Here's what to know:
What the expanded Move Over law covers
Under the expanded law, drivers must move over to avoid any vehicle stopped on the side of the road, not just emergency vehicles used by police, Road Rangers, emergency crews or construction vehicles, according to the bill's analysis. The expanded law covers:
▪ Disabled motor vehicles that are stopped and displaying warning lights or hazard lights.
▪ A vehicle that is stopped and using emergency flares or posting emergency signs.
▪ A vehicle that is stopped and one or more persons are visibly present.
What do drivers have to do?
To comply with the law, which is designed to save lives and help avoid crashes, drivers in Florida must do what they've been doing for emergency or public service vehicles for nearly 25 years.
▪ Move out of the lane closest to the disabled vehicle when driving on highways or streets with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the stopped vehicle.
▪ If drivers can't safely make that move, they must slow to 20 mph less than the posted speed limit when the posted limit is 25 mph or greater. Or travel at 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less.
What if you break the law?
You will pay a fine if caught. A violation of the Move Over Law is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation, according to the state. The statutory base fine is $60 but with additional fees and surcharges, the total penalty may be up to $158, the bill says.
KNOW MORE: Should you speed up on I-95 entrance ramp? Do you have to stop at light? What laws say
What officials have to say about Move Over
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that in 2021, there were 191 crashes and more than 14,000 citations issued for drivers failing to move over in Florida.
From 2016-2020, an average of nearly 350 people per year were struck and killed while outside a disabled vehicle on the roadside, AAA said in a media release applauding the Florida Move Over law expansion.
'AAA has advocated for a stronger move over law through our 'Move Over for Me' campaign, and are glad to see it come to fruition,' AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said as the new law took effect. 'The roadside is a dangerous place for anyone, whether it's a first responder or a daily commuter. We hope this enhancement to the current law will save lives by reminding drivers to give extra space when passing anyone on the roadside.'
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