MOVE OVER AND MAKE WAY FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES

This month marks a tragic anniversary for the Broward Sheriff's Office. One year ago BSO Deputy Ryan Seguin was struck and killed by a passing motorist during a traffic stop. Just a few months later, Deputy Michael Rosenbluth was hit by an out-of-control car during an accident investigation and was seriously injured. Both of these tragedies could have been avoided if the drivers had simply paid attention, slowed their speed and moved over. Florida's Move Over Act requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle that is stopped along the roadway – and mandates drivers to make way for emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated.

Next time you hear a siren or catch the glimpse of flashing lights, please pay attention and remember the following:

If driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction – and you approach an emergency or law enforcement vehicle parked along the roadway – you must vacate the lane closest to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so (unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer).
On two-lane roadways, you are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. (If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, you must slow down to five miles per hour.)
When nearing an intersection where an emergency vehicle is approaching from the cross street, come to a complete stop and wait until all emergency vehicles have safely passed before continuing.
If an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind you, put on your turn signal, yield to the right-of-way, slow down or pull over. Once the emergency vehicle has passed, use your turn signal to carefully re-enter the roadway.

Drivers who do not obey the move over law can be charged with a moving violation – and that means a fine and points on their license. More importantly, not “moving over” puts our first responders at risk. It also makes it extremely difficult for firefighter/paramedics and law enforcement officers to get to the person in need of assistance. What if that person was you or your family member? You would certainly want help to arrive as quickly as possible. We all would.

To help spread the word about this very important law, my office has created a short public safety announcement . I urge you to tell your friends and family to log-on and watch this video, as well. We can't bring Ryan back, but we can do everything possible to make sure such a tragedy never happens again.

Remember, make way, slow down and move over when nearing an emergency vehicle. It's common courtesy, it's common sense – and it's the law!

To direct your comments and questions to Sheriff Ken Jenne, click here.

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