What Is the Move Over Law?
Posted on: March 7, 2025- Florida’s Move Over Law doesn’t just apply to police vehicles and fire trucks; it also applies to tow trucks, sanitation vehicles, utility vehicles, and even stranded motorists.
- When one of these vehicles is stopped on the side of the road, drivers must move over one full lane or slow down by at least 20 mph.
- Failing to follow the law can result in fines up to $500, points on your license, and potential civil liability if an accident occurs.
- If you or a loved one has been injured in a roadside accident due to another driver’s negligence, Beers & Gordon can help you seek justice—contact us today for a free consultation.
You’re cruising down 434 when you spot flashing lights ahead. It could be a law enforcement officer pulling someone over, a tow truck assisting a stranded car, or even a disabled vehicle with its hazard lights on. What do you do?
If your first instinct isn’t to move over or slow down, you could be breaking the law—and putting lives at risk.
Every day, emergency responders, roadside workers, and stranded drivers find themselves at the mercy of traffic that’s just feet away. To make matters worse, many drivers aren’t aware of their own responsibilities under the law.
As personal injury attorneys who have handled countless roadside accident cases, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating consequences of drivers failing to move over. In this article, we’ll break down Florida’s Move Over Law, what it requires, and how following it can keep everyone on the side of the road safe.
What Is the Move Over Law?
The Florida Move Over Law requires drivers to give a safety buffer to those working on or near the roadway.
This law is designed to protect not only emergency responders (i.e. police officers, firefighters, and paramedics) but tow truck operators, utility workers, sanitation crews, and even stranded drivers with their hazard lights on.
These workers already face dangerous conditions, but when passing vehicles fail to slow down or move over, the risk of a serious or fatal accident skyrockets.
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The Florida Move Over Law requires drivers to take specific actions for:
- emergency vehicles,
- service vehicles,
- law enforcement vehicles,
- tow trucks with rotating or flashing lights,
- utility vehicles with flashing lights,
- sanitation trucks, and
- stranded motorists with flashing hazard lights.
If one of these vehicles is stopped on a two-lane road, drivers must move over one full lane away from the stopped vehicle if it is safe to do so.
When there is no option to move over, drivers must reduce their speed by at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is 20 mph or lower, drivers must slow down to 5 mph.
These rules are in place to give emergency responders, roadside workers, and stranded motorists a safety buffer and provide extra reaction time for the driver in case of unexpected movements.
The Serious Consequences of Ignoring the Move Over Law
Ignoring Florida’s Move Over Law isn’t just a minor traffic violation—it’s a dangerous, costly, and potentially deadly mistake.
If you violate the Move Over Law, expect:
- A moving violation citation;
- Three points on your driver’s license;
- Fines of $500 or more;
- Higher insurance premiums;
- Potential court appearances.
But the true cost goes beyond fines and penalties. If your failure to move over causes an accident and injuries, you could be held financially responsible for someone’s medical bills, lost wages, and suffering. Depending on the severity of the crash, you may even face criminal charges.
And the worst consequence of all? Lives are lost every year because drivers don’t take this law seriously. The Move Over Law isn’t optional—it’s a life saving responsibility. The few seconds it takes to change lanes or slow down could mean the difference between life and death.
How to Stay Safe and Compliant
Staying safe and compliant with Florida’s Move Over Law isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about building better driving habits that protect emergency responders, roadside workers, and stranded motorists.
- Scan the Road Ahead – Get in the habit of checking ahead for flashing lights, hazard signals, or stopped vehicles on the shoulder. Spotting these early gives you time to react safely.
- Plan Your Move Early – Don’t wait until the last second to switch lanes. Start looking for gaps in traffic as soon as you see emergency lights, so you can move over smoothly and safely.
- Slow Down with Purpose – If moving over isn’t possible, reduce your speed by at least 20 mph below the limit. This isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a legal requirement that could save a life.
- Stay Alert After You Pass – Emergency scenes are constantly changing. Workers may step into the roadway, new vehicles may arrive, or equipment may be deployed. Keep your attention on the situation until your vehicle has passed the emergency scene and it’s safe to continue normal driving.
- Make It a Habit, Not an Afterthought – Treat moving over or slowing down as an automatic response, just like stopping for a red light. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes.
The Move Over Law isn’t just about avoiding a ticket—it’s about protecting lives. Building these habits now can prevent tragedies later.
Move Over, Slow Down, Save Lives
Drivers are required to move over to protect emergency responders, roadside workers, and stranded motorists—but too many ignore the law, putting lives at risk. Taking just a few seconds to change lanes or slow down isn’t an inconvenience—it’s a life-saving habit that protects those who keep our roads safe.
Florida’s traffic laws are clear: Move over when you can. Slow down when you can’t move over. Always stay alert until you’ve passed the scene or vehicles involved. These simple actions could mean the difference between life and death, or serious injuries, for someone on the side of the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured because another driver failed to move over, you have legal options. At Beers & Gordon, we fight for victims of negligent drivers and hold them accountable.
Take action today—contact Beers & Gordon for a free consultation, and let’s discuss how we can help you seek justice. Call us now.
Jim Gordon
Jim Gordon earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1997, and two years later began working at a firm in Orlando handling insurance defense matters on cases involving vehicle accidents, negligence, product liability, and more. He established Beers & Gordon P.A. with David Beers in 2009 to represent the rights of people injured because of negligence. He is a member of the invitation-only National Trial Lawyers organization and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
