PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG\/WECP) – Move over, Florida Highway Patrol [FHP] is working to bring continual awareness to improving drivers\u2019 safety.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cWhich extends it to motorists as well so now it\u2019s law enforcement vehicles, tow vehicles, and also now stranded motorists, disabled motorists on the side of the highway as well,\u201d FHP Sergeant Ryan Brown told NewsChannel7.<\/p>\n The law protects anyone pulled over as long as their hazard lights are flashing, according to FHP\u2019s website<\/a>. Sergeant Brown encourages the public to be aware while driving.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways 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,\u201d Brown continued.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s extension has improved safety locally, Sergeant Brown said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t seen as many incidents here locally as far as incidents of people being struck by vehicles that are not moving over,\u201d Brown told NewsChannel7.<\/p>\n As always, education is a very important component to ensure the public knows the changes being made to driving laws.<\/p>\n \u201cMembers of the public we just always encourage them and educate them on the traffic laws and anything that is new that comes out,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n Part of that education includes adding \u2018Move Over\u2019 specific questions to the Florida driver\u2019s exam. Drivers ages 20 – 29 are most likely to ignore the Move Over law, FHP\u2019s website reports. <\/p>\n In Bay County, drivers that refuse to move over a lane for a stopped vehicle, can face a pricey fine of $165, Brown said.<\/p>\n To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WJHG on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Email news@wjhg.com<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Keep up with all the biggest headlines on the WJHG News app<\/a>, and check out what\u2019s happening outside using the WJHG Weather app<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WJHG. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n