The Florida Move Over law requires drivers to take specific precautions when they approach an emergency vehicle’s flashing lights.
"You need to have a lane width between the traffic and the trooper,” said Florida Highway Patrol Captain Nancy Rasmussen when describing how to follow the law. “If you can’t do that safely, say if there are a lot of vehicles that are on the roadways and you can’t move over, you need to slow your speed down to 20 mph below the speed limit."
The penalties for disobeying the law are equivalent to most other moving violations, with three points being added to your license and a fine varying from county to county.
Over the last year, four officers were involved in accidents resulting from drivers not abiding by the law. Most recently, Florida Highway Patrol trooper Felicia Andrews sustained serious injuries when her patrol car was hit while parked in the emergency lane of I-95.
Rasmussen believes the law does deter drivers more as time goes on.
"A lot of cars do get over, and it’s getting to be a natural thing," she said.
Chloe Oliveras edited this story online.