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Monday, February 20, 2012 |
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Orlando Car Accidents to be Reduced by FHP Spotlight on Florida Move Over Law |
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Law enforcement officers have the tough job of keeping our roadways safe for everyone. Unfortunately, many of these officers are killed in the line of duty, often in crashes that were preventable. More than 170 officers have been killed in traffic-related accidents in Orlando and elsewhere since 1999, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Thousands more have been injured on the job trying to protect Floridians.
Recently, Col. David Brierton with the FHP announced that he and officials with the Georgia State Patrol and Alabama Department of Public Safety will be joining efforts to enforce the current Move Over Law. This law was implemented to help keep roadside workers, law enforcement officials and emergency responders safe while doing their jobs on the side of the road.
These roadside workers put their lives on the line to help save ours. Our Orlando car accident lawyers would like to thank them for it and ask Floridians to help to return the favor. The Move Over Law in the state of Florida requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching wrecker operators, emergency responders, roadside workers and law enforcement. Each of these individuals deserves the protection that the Move Over Law provides.
The FHP is in the midst of conducting its month-long safety campaign to bust violators of the Move Over Law. Officers are hitting the interstate and highways hard in search of drivers who have blatant disregard for those who are here to save us in our time of need. Violators will be cited!
Later in July, the Move Over Law will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary in the state. Under the Move Over Law, motorists are required to move over and leave an empty lane between them and an emergency vehicle. When an emergency vehicle or wrecker is parked on the side of the road with its emergency flashing lights on, drivers need to move over.
If drivers aren't able to move over then they are required to slow down and to travel at 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is already 20 miles per hour then motorists are required to travel at just 5 miles per hour.
If an officer spots you failing to move over for one of these individuals, then you will be cited and forced to pay a fine. More seriously than a fine are the risks you are taking for hitting a vehicle or slamming into a worker in a crash that could seriously injure or kill them. You could also injure or kill yourself. Be cautious and be courteous when driving on our roadways, but especially when driving near those whose job it is to keep us safe.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident in Orlando or any of the surrounding areas, contact the Orlando injury attorneys at Jacobs & Goodman. Call us today at (407) 788-2949 or call us toll free at (800) JACOBS NOW to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
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