Florida’s “Move Over” Law Expands to Include All Stalled Vehicles

December 28, 2023

1–2 minutes

As of January 1, 2024, Florida’s “Move Over” law will undergo a significant expansion, impacting how drivers in Titusville and across the state navigate around stalled vehicles.

The updated legislation, part of a broader transportation bill, now mandates that drivers provide space for any disabled vehicle with visible occupants or warning signals, like hazard lights.

This change is an extension of the current law, which requires drivers to move over or slow down for law enforcement, emergency responders, tow trucks, and utility vehicles. If it’s not safe to change lanes, drivers must reduce their speed to at least 20 mph below the posted limit. The fines for non-compliance range from $60 to $158.

The necessity of this expansion is underscored by alarming statistics from AAA, revealing that an average of 24 emergency workers, including tow truck drivers, lose their lives annually due to roadside accidents.

A poignant example of the hazards faced by roadside workers is the 2015 incident involving a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who sustained a shattered pelvis after being struck during a traffic stop—a grim reminder captured in a video by the Florida Department of Highway Safety.

As the community of Titusville adjusts to this law change, it’s crucial for drivers to stay vigilant and prioritize safety when encountering stalled vehicles. The law’s expansion, effective from January 1, 2024, aims to protect not just emergency workers but all individuals who find themselves in vulnerable roadside situations