Effective July 1, 2014, Florida drivers must now move over for utility service vehicles and garbage trucks.
The law requires drivers to change lanes if traveling on a multilane roadway and they can do so safely, or to slow down to at least 20 mph under the posted speed limit.
While Florida’s “move-over” law has been in effect for several years — with respect to emergency vehicles, tow trucks stopped on the roadway, and police vehicles — it now includes two additional classes of vehicles: utility service vehicles and garbage trucks.
Safety concerns led to support for the law, after incidents where roadside workers were struck by passing motorists and suffered serious injury and death.
If a driver does not comply with the new law, he or she may be subject to a moving violation (adding 3 points to a driver’s license record) and a fine of typically more than $100, depending on the jurisdiction where the incident occurs.
With the adoption of this law, Florida appears to be part of a growing trend; utility service vehicles and garbage trucks are already included in the “move-over” laws of neighboring states.
Gunster’s government affairs practice is proud to have been instrumental in the consideration and passing of this important legislation.
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