OBPD reminds residents of Move-Over Law to protect emergency workers

The police want to prevent workers from getting hit by cars.

By Emily Blackwood
| 10:15 a.m. October 13, 2016

Emergency crews are blocked by fallen trees. Photo by Wayne Grant

Ormond Beach Observer
News

With emergency, utility, sanitation and wrecker vehicles working to clear debris and fix power outages from Hurricane Matthew, the Ormond Beach Police Department would like to remind motorists of the Florida Move-Over Law (FSS 316.126).

The Move-Over Law requires motorists driving on a highway with two or more lanes to vacate the lane closest to the emergency, utility, sanitation, or wrecker vehicle or slow down to 20 MPH below the speed limit when approaching these types of vehicles parked on the side of the roadway when their emergency lights or signal are displayed.

If you are not in the lane closest to the stopped emergency, utility, sanitation, or wrecker vehicle, you should be prepared to allow other drivers to move over.

The purpose of this law is to protect emergency, utility, sanitation or wrecker workers from being struck by vehicles passing them at high speeds.