Graphic Video Shows Why Cops Want You To Move Over

Editor’s Note: The above video shows graphic images of the crash and may not be suitable for young children.

January is Move Over Month in the state of Florida.

That means law enforcement agencies throughout the Sunshine State pull out the stops to remind motorists that moving over to avoid first responders, service vehicles and cops on the side of the road isn’t optional.

The state’s law requires motorists on multi-lane roads to move over a lane if an emergency vehicle is stopped on the side of the road. If moving over isn’t feasible, drivers must slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. On two-lane roads, drivers must slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when law enforcement or service vehicles are pulled over. If a road’s speed limit happens to be 20 mph or less, motorists must slow down to 5 mph.

While January is dedicated to raising awareness about the law, the legislation is technically nothing new. It was passed in 2002. Even so, Move Over violations result in more than 100 crashes a year on Florida roadways, according to the highway patrol. In 2014 alone, there were 161 crashes attributed to motorists failing to move over, a highway patrol media release said. Those crashes resulted in at least 120 injuries, and “in a single accident, the death of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Chelsea Richard, tow truck driver John Duggan and motorist George Phillips.”

As Move Over Florida month winds down, the highway patrol has released a video that shows in graphic detail just how dangerous failing to follow the law can be. In the video, Trooper Mac Mickens is seen on his dash cam being struck by a vehicle on Florida’s Turnpike on Oct. 18, 2015. Mickens survived the crash with serious injuries. The motorist who failed to move over was arrested on DUI charges.

“The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles stresses to each driver the importance of complying with the Move Over Act,” said Terry L. Rhodes, the department’s executive director. “Move Over, Florida! The simple act of moving over for law enforcement, emergency first responders and other stopped or disabled vehicles gives these public servants adequate space to do their jobs and can greatly increase safety on Florida’s roadways.”

To find out more about Florida’s Move Over law, visit the highway patrol online.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol