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Unusual Traffic Laws to Watch Out For
Some states and cities have unusual traffic laws which autos and motorcycle riders should know about to avoid fines and points. Let's use this thread to warn each other about strange or unexpected laws in our areas.
The following is just such a law, described on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Web Site. In a nutshell, when riding on a highway of 4 or more lanes, you cannot pass a stopped police car or fire truck with its emergency lights flashing in the lane closest to that vehicle. In addition, you must slow down to 20 m.p.h. below the speed limit to pass those vehicles on a two-lane roadway. The DHSMV summary is as follows:
Drivers are now required to "move over" or "slow down" when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle that is stopped on a highway in Florida. The "Move Over Act", passed by the Florida Legislature, and was signed by Governor Jeb Bush.
There are several important provisions concerning this new law. On interstate highways or other highways with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a roadway with their emergency lights activated, are required to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, as soon as it is safe to do so.
When approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a two-lane roadway with their emergency lights activated, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater; or travel at 5 miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less. A violation of this act will be a moving violation punishable with a $60 fine and three-points.
The "Move Over Act", designed to protect law enforcement and other emergency workers on our highways, was sponsored by Senator Victor Crist, District 13, Tampa, and Representative Mark Flanagan, District 68, Bradenton. The support of the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA) was instrumental in getting this important piece of legislation passed.
Be careful not to pass an emergency vehicle at, say 45 m.p.h. in a 55 zone. You could have to pay a fine and lose points!
Roy, The Nightrider
The following is just such a law, described on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Web Site. In a nutshell, when riding on a highway of 4 or more lanes, you cannot pass a stopped police car or fire truck with its emergency lights flashing in the lane closest to that vehicle. In addition, you must slow down to 20 m.p.h. below the speed limit to pass those vehicles on a two-lane roadway. The DHSMV summary is as follows:
Drivers are now required to "move over" or "slow down" when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle that is stopped on a highway in Florida. The "Move Over Act", passed by the Florida Legislature, and was signed by Governor Jeb Bush.
There are several important provisions concerning this new law. On interstate highways or other highways with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a roadway with their emergency lights activated, are required to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, as soon as it is safe to do so.
When approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a two-lane roadway with their emergency lights activated, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater; or travel at 5 miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less. A violation of this act will be a moving violation punishable with a $60 fine and three-points.
The "Move Over Act", designed to protect law enforcement and other emergency workers on our highways, was sponsored by Senator Victor Crist, District 13, Tampa, and Representative Mark Flanagan, District 68, Bradenton. The support of the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA) was instrumental in getting this important piece of legislation passed.
Be careful not to pass an emergency vehicle at, say 45 m.p.h. in a 55 zone. You could have to pay a fine and lose points!
Roy, The Nightrider
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