Florida Move Over Law
Bill Allen | August 20, 2025 | Florida Law
When driving on Ocala’s roadways, it is common to encounter a stopped emergency or service vehicle. Florida’s “Move Over” law outlines the specific steps you should take in these situations to help keep the individuals involved safe and avoid car accidents. Keep reading below to learn more about the Move Over law, including what to do and its penalties.
Basics of Florida’s Move Over Law
Florida’s Move Over law was enacted to protect the safety of law enforcement, first responders, service workers, and the motorists they are helping. This law requires you to move over a lane for certain stopped vehicles when you can safely do so.
You must move over for stopped:
- Law enforcement
- Emergency vehicles
- Sanitation vehicles
- Tow trucks
- Utility service vehicles
- Maintenance or construction vehicles with warning lights
- Any disabled vehicle on the side of the road
If you are unable to move over safely, you must slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. If you are on a two-lane road, you should slow down to 20 mph less than the speed limit instead of crossing the center line to move over. When the speed limit is 20 mph or less, you should slow to 5 miles per hour as you pass the stopped vehicle.
Additionally, drivers should yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles that are approaching with their lights or sirens on. In this situation, a driver should get as close to the curb as possible, parallel to the white line, so that the emergency vehicle can safely pass.
Penalties for Failing to Move Over
Unfortunately, many motorists still fail to move over for emergency vehicles as they should. In fact, more than 170 crashes in 2022 resulted from drivers failing to move over for stopped emergency vehicles. Many of these car accidents resulted in catastrophic injuries, and some were even fatal. Additionally, more than 14,000 citations were issued across the state in 2022 for violations of the Move Over law.
Violating this law can result in some serious consequences for drivers. Although these are considered non-criminal violations, a driver may still face fines, fees, and points on their license. These penalties can substantially impact your wallet, and too many points could cause your license to be suspended.
Florida does its best to educate drivers about the Move Over law and its consequences. All Move Over information is now included in the Florida driver’s handbook. Additionally, the driver’s license exam includes Move Over questions to ensure that new drivers fully understand these rules.
What Should I Do if I’m Injured in a Car Accident?
Unfortunately, failure to move over results in many injuries each year. If you are injured by a driver who failed to move over when you were stopped on the side of the road, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. First, you should seek immediate medical treatment for any injuries. Next, notify the police so that they can investigate your accident and help identify the driver who hit you.
Gather as much evidence from the scene as possible, including photos of all the vehicles and the surrounding scene. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses who may have seen the crash. Finally, talk with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Ocala Car Accident Lawyer at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Were you or a loved one injured because another driver failed to follow Florida’s Move Over law? You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The experienced legal team at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers is ready to advocate for you and fight for your rights.
Call our law office in Ocala today to schedule your free consultation with an Ocala car accident lawyer.
Contact Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We have three convenient locations in Marion County and Alachua County, North Central Florida:
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville Office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652
