PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Move over, Florida Highway Patrol [FHP] is working to bring continual awareness to improving drivers’ safety.
Florida law requires drivers to move over for not only emergency vehicles, but all vehicles stopped on the side of the road. This follows the extension of the state law passed January 2025.
“Which extends it to motorists as well so now it’s law enforcement vehicles, tow vehicles, and also now stranded motorists, disabled motorists on the side of the highway as well,” FHP Sergeant Ryan Brown told NewsChannel7.
The law protects anyone pulled over as long as their hazard lights are flashing, according to FHP’s website. Sergeant Brown encourages the public to be aware while driving.
“Always be mindful of your surroundings and if you can get over, get over and if not slow to a minimum of 20 miles under the speed limit,” Brown continued.
There were 205 crashes and more than 17,500 citations issued in 2024 for drivers who failed to move over, according to FHP. Since the extension was passed in early January of 2025, the law’s extension has improved safety locally, Sergeant Brown said.
“We haven’t seen as many incidents here locally as far as incidents of people being struck by vehicles that are not moving over,” Brown told NewsChannel7.
As always, education is a very important component to ensure the public knows the changes being made to driving laws.
“Members of the public we just always encourage them and educate them on the traffic laws and anything that is new that comes out,” Brown said.
Part of that education includes adding ‘Move Over’ specific questions to the Florida driver’s exam. Drivers ages 20 – 29 are most likely to ignore the Move Over law, FHP’s website reports.
In Bay County, drivers that refuse to move over a lane for a stopped vehicle, can face a pricey fine of $165, Brown said.
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