It's a scenario all drivers are familiar with on Florida's roads: law enforcement or emergency responders pulled over on the shoulder assisting with or making an emergency stop.
As a driver passing by, what should you do?
The answer is to follow Florida's Move Over Law.
In 2002, the state enacted this law, which requires drivers on multi-lane roads to either move out of the lane closest to a stopped law enforcement or emergency responder vehicle on the side of the road, or slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when passing. The law also requires drivers to be prepared to allow other motorists to move over, if needed.
On two lane roads, drivers must slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit; if the posted speed is 20 mph or less, they must slow down to 5 mph. Effective July 1, 2014, the scope of the law was expanded to include vehicles driven by utility workers, like FPL.
You may see FPL or our contractors working roadside to enhance our energy grid for customers by upgrading power poles and power lines, installing new equipment and making repairs. Our crews make their work zones as visible as possible to other drivers in some the following ways:
- Illuminating warning lights on the trucks;
- Wearing high visibility vests and shirts (fluorescent yellow-green or orange-red); and
- Deploying orange cones and signs near the trucks.
Remember, by being an alert driver - looking for roadside caution indicators and obeying the Move Over Law - you could help save a life.