Every January is Move Over Month in Florida. The Northeast Florida Department of Transportation District Two Community Traffic Safety Program reminds all motorists to obey Florida’s Move Over Law. This law helps to protect those who protect us while they provide essential services in a dangerous environment – the side of the road.

Florida law requires motorists to move over a lane — when they can safely do so — or slow down by 20 mph below the posted speed limit for the following stopped along the roadway:

• Law enforcement.
• Emergency responders.
• Sanitation and utility service vehicles.
• Tow trucks or wreckers.
• Maintenance or construction vehicles.
• Disabled vehicles.

Florida’s Move Over Law expanded in 2021 to include service vehicles and again in 2024 to include disabled motorists

In addition to first responders, this law, as of 2021, also applies to other public servants and roadside workers. Drivers typically know to move over for law enforcement, fire rescue, and emergency medical services. Many still do not realize the law requires them to move over for sanitation, utility, wrecker, maintenance, and construction vehicles. Basically, if motorists see a service vehicle on the side of the road with flashing warning lights, they need to change lanes or slow down.

Florida lawmakers took action to enhance protection for all roadway users. Effective January 1, 2024, the expanded Move Over law adds three scenarios to Florida’s current law. Motorists will be required to move over if:

• There is a disabled motor vehicle that is stopped and displaying warning lights or hazard lights.
• If a vehicle is stopped and is using emergency flares or posting emergency signage.
• When a vehicle is stopped and one or more persons are visibly present.

In 2022, there were 170 crashes and more than 14,000 citations issued for motorists failing to move over in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Obeying Florida’s Move Over law will help ensure all personnel working and motorists disabled along our roadways get home safely.

Move Over

• As soon as it is safe to do so, vacate the lane closest to the stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service vehicles, tow trucks or wreckers, maintenance or construction vehicles with displaying warning lights, and any disabled vehicle on the side of the road when driving on an interstate highway or other highways with two or more lanes.
• Always signal your intention to change lanes.
• Be prepared to allow those who are attempting to move over into the next lane.

Slow Down

• If moving over cannot be safely accomplished, or when on a two-lane road, 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.

Violating the Move Over law puts you and others at risk, and a citation will result in a fine, fees, and points on your driving record. To read the Florida Statue, see 316.126 – Operation of vehicles and actions of pedestrians on approach of an authorized emergency, sanitation, or utility service vehicle.

Pull Over for Moving Emergency Vehicles

Additionally, motorists should always remember to pay attention while driving and pull over for emergency vehicles approaching from behind. Help emergency services reach their destination safely by:

• Yielding the right of way.
• Moving to the closest, safe edge of the roadway.
• Clearing the intersection.
• Remaining stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.
• Proceeding with caution and courtesy when merging back into the roadway.