Nov 23, 2008 3:48 pm US/Eastern
FAST FACTS: What Is The Move Over Law?
DANIA BEACH (CBS4 News) ―
There's an alarming trend with Florida Drivers – many are not following the very law meant to protect police, rescue workers and emergency workers from being hurt on the job.
Florida's "Move Over Act", passed in 2002, requires drivers to move over to the next lane or slow down while approaching emergency vehicles that are stopped on interstate or other highways.
On highways with multiple lanes in the same direction, drivers approaching an authorized emergency or law enforcement vehicle parked on a roadway with emergency lights activated are required to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
If the driver does not have enough space or time to move over, they should slow down to at least 20 miles below the posted speed limit.
Between 1996 and 2002, 2,762 accidents occurred where emergency workers were struck on the side on the road. Out of those, 600 injuries and seven deaths resulted.
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