CCSO deputies will be taking part in a statewide "Move Over Florida!" campaign June 23 to 29.
Sponsored by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the campaign's goal is to educate drivers about Florida Statute 316.126, which requires drivers to move over and away from stopped emergency vehicles. The purpose of the law is to protect law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS workers while they are on the scene of an accident or other roadside emergency.
Under the law, drivers must:
* Approach cautiously when an emergency vehicle is stopped along the highway with its lights flashing.
* Move away from emergency vehicles when traveling on a multilane highway.
* Slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit, or to 5 mph when the speed limit is 20 mph or less, or if changing lanes safely is not an option.
CCSO Safety and Traffic Enforcement Bureau Lt. Harold Minch said deputies will focus on educating drivers about the law, although warnings and citations will be issued when appropriate.
Organizers say "Move Over Florida!" is expected to become an annual event.
