Drivers in Florida have long been required to take certain steps to get out of the way of stopped emergency and other vehicles. An update to the state’s “move over” law is set to expand Sunshine State drivers’ responsibilities.
Gov. Ron DeSantis in June signed HB 425, a bill updating the state’s “move over” law. The amended law, which goes on the books in January, adds three additional circumstances under which drivers are required to get out of the way.
The current law forces drivers to move over at least one lane, when safe to do so, for stopped law enforcement, emergency responders and sanitation and utility service vehicles. Motorists are also required to move for tow trucks and wreckers, as well as certain maintenance or construction vehicles with displayed warning lights.
HB 425 will significantly widen the situations in which drivers are obligated to move over, including for any disabled motor vehicle that is stopped and displaying warning lights or hazard lights, as well as those using emergency flares or posting emergency signage. More broadly, drivers are expected to move over anytime a vehicle is stopped and one or more persons are visibly present.
Hundreds of people are killed - and thousands more injured - each year across the country in stopped-vehicle accidents, according to data compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Traffic accidents also are a leading cause of death for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We are extremely grateful that Florida lawmakers took this necessary action to enhance protection for all motorists, in addition to the first responders who come to their aid,” Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for the American Automobile Association, told the Tallahassee Democrat.
Legal Rights for Villagers Injured in Car Accidents
Car crashes can and do happen. When collisions occur, they can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries.
More than 1,200 car accidents have been reported so far this year in Sumter County alone this year, with 17 people left dead and nearly 600 injured. Another 4,100 collisions have been reported in Marion County, with 54 people left dead and more than 2,000 injured.
Fortunately, anyone injured in a Florida car accident has the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the crash. That typically includes money damages for the financial impact of the crash, such as medical expenses, property damage, missed wages and any reduction in earning capacity caused by the crash.
Speak With a Villages Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart or other crash, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced injury attorney. Villages accident attorney Tim Babiarz has been fighting for people and families across the community for more than two decades.
Our office is conveniently located in the Villages. We are also proud to represent clients throughout the area, including in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages accident attorney.
