Published on Thursday, February 2, 2006
in the WINK TV News

Drivers Won't Move Over

A sheriff's deputy writing a ticket on the side of the road is nearly killed after he was side swiped by a passing car. The incident is just another example of the dangers law enforcement and emergency responders face everyday in Southwest Florida.

FHP Troopers say some drivers either don't know or don't care about Florida's Move Over law. It requires drivers to move over or slow down when passing emergency vehicles that are pulled over handling an incident.

"It's kind of like trying to find eyes behind your head, you just listen for the sounds."

FHP Trooper Robert Ellis says despite the fact that Florida's Move Over law is four years-old, many drivers don't follow it.

"Some of the excuses I receive are I didn't see you in time, I couldn't get over."

Or Ellis says some claim they've never heard of it.

"It's a little unnerving seeing the traffic. Especially the big commercial vehicles that come within three feet of your vehicle."

"It's kind of common courtesy to move over and give us room to work," says Ellis.

"You're always on your toes trying to monitor the traffic plus your on safety."

Trooper Ellis says it's hard to pull over drivers for Move Over violations because typically the trooper is dealing with another violation when it takes place, and it usually requires two troopers on the scene and many times they're working alone.