Note to readers: The News-Press and Naples Daily News are producing a series of stories about traffic in Southwest Florida. We are calling our special coverage “Traffic Week” and the series of stories, photos and videos, includes these important public service reminders when it comes to the rules of the road.
What is Florida’s ‘Move Over’ law?
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website:
Florida law requires you to Move Over a lane — when you can safely do so — for 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. If you can’t move over — or when on a two-lane road — slow to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.
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What is the correct way to ‘Move Over’?
- Slow down to 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less.
- FLHSMV educates new and young drivers on the Move Over Act with information in the driver handbook, even including Move Over questions on the driver exam.
- Statistically the most likely to violate the Move Over Act is drivers aged 20-40. This age group is less likely to move over or slow down when they approach emergency, service or disabled vehicles.