Move Over Law- You ever heard of it?
The Move Over Law in Florida has recently celebrated it's 10 year birthday, and yet, most people have either never heard of it, or do not fully understand it. And that's really the issue with the Move Over Law, people aren't violating it on purpose, they really just don't understand what it is or how it's enforced.
Here's a little primer. Whenever you see a car on the side of the road with flashing lights, slow down or get out of that lane. It's that simple.
Yes, that includes tow truck drivers. Yes, that includes ambulances. Yes, that includes fire trucks. Any "emergency vehicle" is what the law reads, but it's safe to assume a vehicle is an emergency vehicle if it has lights on top and they are flashing. And yes, it applies to ALL roads, not just highways.
The best thing to do is just change lanes to avoid any issues, but if it's only a two lane road or if it is impossible to change lanes because of traffic, you must slow down to 20 mph under the posted speed limit.
Now, for all of you reading this who don't know why this law exists, it's very simple. Emergency responders (police, ambulances, truck drivers, etc. . . ) are being injured and killed by cars zooming right past them, some of whom have drivers who aren't paying full attention to what they are doing. I don't care what your feelings are about police officers writing tickets, the fact is it is part of their job, and they shouldn't have to worry about being killed or injured while doing it.
If you don't think the law is necessary because you are such a careful driver, consider this: Since 1999, there have been 179 law enforcement officers alone who have been hit and killed by passing motorists who did not either slow down or change lanes. Please try and remember that the next time you see flashing lights on the side of the road.
If you did receive a ticket for violating the Move Over Law, we can help you.
Because as much as I think the law is a good one, like many of the laws on the books, it's the penalty and revenue component I have a problem with.
The move over law is clearly is about public safety, and clearly suffers from a lack of awareness by the public. Not only that the law exists, but what to do about it.
I feel when there is a law of such importance, do not merely hand out excessive fines to a handful of people and assume those people will spread the word about the law. The law is 10 years old and no one seems to know about it. Obviously that tactic isn't working.
How about another approach. Make those people tweet, email or announce on Facebook or any other social media platform that they were pulled over for not moving over and instead of a fine, their punishment should be that they must inform everyone they know about the law and why it exists. Why not make them watch a video about officer's who were killed because people failed to slow down or move over? Perhaps they can be forced to make a you tube video about it. Write a song, a poem, or maybe a haiku. Anything to educate people and get the word out.
If any of those were done, instead of just making people pay a fine and get points, this would be a non-issue.
Your Thoughts:
I'd love to know if you have ever heard of the Move Over Law, and if you realized it was for all cars with emergency lights and if it applied to all roads. Do you think the current punishment is fair? What would you recommend they do to increase awareness.