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As of January 2018, 230 new laws, which were approved in the 2017 fiscal year, went into effect in Florida. These laws included a change to the Move Over Law, which all motorists need to know and understand.

The Move Over Law has been in effect since 2002. It originally covered law enforcement officers and emergency responders only. The law required motorists to vacate the lane closest to emergency vehicles. If it is not safe to do so, or it is a two-lane roadway, motorists must slow down to a speed of at least 20 mph below the speed limit. If the speed limit is 20 mph or less, the motorist must slow down to 5 mph or less. Failure to comply could result in a traffic citation. In 2017 alone, an estimated 17,000 motorists received traffic citations for failing to move over for first responders, law enforcers, road rangers and others on Florida roads.

The law was revised after the death of a 41-year-old tow truck driver who was killed while standing beside his truck on I-95 in St. John’s County. The National Waste and Recycling Association reports being struck by a motorist is a leading cause of death for waste and recycling employees. The revised law now covers tow trucks, garbage trucks and utility vehicles.

In an effort to decrease the potential of accidents, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are partnering with the Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Department of Transportation, and the American Automobile Association (AAA) “to ensure all law enforcement, first responders, service and utility workers, and Road Rangers are safe in 2018.”

“The Move Over Law protects those who work on the side of the roadway each day and ensures that they make it home safely to their families,” said DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “Law enforcement, first responders, service and utility vehicles provide critical services to motorists in one of the most dangerous work environments. It is imperative that motorists abide by the law and move over or slow down for these brave professionals so that they can do their job and Arrive Alive.”

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey says, “Protecting those who work to make our lives better and safer is all of our responsibility. Our legal team knows first-hand the devastation that is caused by vehicle accidents. This devastation not only happens to the individuals directly involved, but to their families, friends and the community. We urge everyone to take the Move Over Law seriously and abide by it. Should you or a loved one be injured in an accident, we are available 24/7 to assist you.”

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.