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What does Florida's Move Over law require near a stopped emergency vehicle?

A police SUV with blue and red lights on parked on the right shoulder of a multilane road while a red car moves left, shown by a blue arrow.

You are on an interstate with two or more lanes in your direction and see a police car stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. What does Florida law require?

Answer choices

The answer

On an interstate or other road with two or more lanes in your direction, vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle as soon as it is safe. If you cannot do so safely, reduce speed as the law provides.

The rule applies to a parked emergency vehicle showing its signals, and to sanitation, utility, wrecker, road or bridge maintenance or construction vehicles and disabled vehicles under the conditions in the statute. A driver must act as soon as it is safe to do so, unless a law enforcement officer directs otherwise.

On a two-lane road the driver must slow to 20 mph below the posted limit when the limit is 25 mph or higher, or travel at 5 mph when the limit is 20 mph or lower.

Exceptions

  • The requirements do not apply when a law enforcement officer directs otherwise.

Penalty

A violation is a noncriminal traffic infraction under chapter 318, a moving violation for the driver rules. The statute page does not list fine amounts.

Why this rule matters for safety

Officers and roadside workers stand close to moving traffic. Leaving a lane of space, or slowing down, gives them room if a vehicle drifts.

Official sources

Rules checked against these sources on . Laws change. Confirm with the Florida agency before you rely on this for a legal matter.

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