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Published on Tuesday, October 22, 2002
in the Florida Times Union
Law enforcement and fire officials teamed up yesterday in Jacksonville hoping to get motorists to adhere to a new state law enacted to protect public safety workers.
The "Move Over Act" requires motorists to move over or slow down when approaching law enforcement or emergency vehicles alongside the roadway. It went into effect July 1.
Those who don't adhere could face a $78 fine and three points on their license if pulled over, police said.
Officials yesterday unveiled a new information sign that will be placed throughout the state to remind drivers, officials said.
From 1996 to 2000, Florida motorists struck law enforcement vehicles stopped or parked along roadways 1,793 times, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Those crashes resulted in five deaths and 419 injuries. Nationally, 17 firefighters were struck and killed by motorists from 1995 to 1999, an 89 percent increase from the 1990 to 1994 period, when nine firefighters were killed, Fire Chief Ray Alfred said.
"I welcome it and look forward to it protecting our men and women as they protect our community," Alfred said.
Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover said it is always a challenge for officers to enforce such a law. However, Jacksonville residents should already be familiar with a similar program asking them to yield to emergency vehicles.
"Citizens here in Jacksonville are certainly used to doing that," Glover said.
When approaching law enforcement or emergency vehicles on two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle, drivers are required to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle whenever it is safe to do so.
In cases where authorized vehicles with lights activated are parked on a two-lane roadway, drivers are required to slow 20 mph less than the posted speed limit when posted speed is 25 mph or higher. When the speed limit is 20 mph or less, motorists must go 5 mph.
The trooper on the poster promoting the law has a personal reason for supporting the law. He was struck by a semitruck about one month after his photograph was taken.
"I'm just glad the Legislature decided to enact the move-over law because maybe it will save another law enforcement officer's life or a civilian's life," said Trooper Greg Edison.
Edison's leg was broken when the semi crashed into his motorcycle, then hit the vehicle he was standing next to. He said standing on the passenger side of the vehicle he stopped saved his life and other troopers are now following that procedure