Move Over for Law Enforcement
SOUTHEASTERN STATES JOIN FORCES FOR MOVE OVER CAMPAIGN
~ Give emergency workers room to work ~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –More than 170 law enforcement officers in the United States have died after being struck by motor vehicles since 1999. Thousands have been injured. To make the roadways safer for everyone, to include law enforcement officers and emergency workers who often work roadside, the Director of the Florida Highway Patrol, Col. David Brierton, today announced that FHP is teaming up with two other states to protect emergency workers on roadways. The Florida Highway Patrol, Alabama Department of Public Safety and Georgia State Patrol are uniting this month to focus enforcement and education efforts on the Move Over Law.
“All too often, a law enforcement officer, paramedic or wrecker operator is seriously injured or killed while they are doing their job because a vehicle drove too close,” said Brierton. “That is why our law includes protection for all first responders, emergency personnel and wrecker operators. Each of them deserves protection under the law.”
During the month-long enforcement operation, law enforcement officers will work together along busy highways and interstates to catch Move Over Law violators and others breaking traffic laws. Law enforcement officers will be out in force, issuing citations for violations, so drivers beware!
July will mark 10 years since Florida’s Move Over Law took effect. The law requires motorists, whenever they observe an authorized emergency vehicle or a wrecker parked roadside with flashing emergency lights, to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle or wrecker when driving on a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle. If such movement cannot be accomplished safely, or when traveling on a two-lane roadway, the driver must slow down to a speed of 20 mph less than the posted speed limit. Find additional details and public service announcements on Florida’s Move Over Law at www.flhsmv.gov/SafetyTips. Floridians who travel to other states should know that nearly every state has a Move Over Law. Hawaii and Washington D.C. are the only areas that do not have a Move Over Law.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit www.flhsmv.gov or follow us on Twitter @FDHSMV. You can find us on Facebook, too.