Protecting Those Who Protect Us (The Move Over Law)

Our dedicated law enforcement officers, firefighters, and all first responders, risk life and limb to protect and serve the public. That’s why over the last five years we at Terrell • Hogan have supported the Move Over Law by promoting public awareness of this life-saving law. Drivers know to make room when you’re headed to an accident scene, but too few know that, when you’re stopped with your emergency lights flashing, the law requires them to move over and slow down. As the FHP’s Move Over Law brochure says, “PLEASE GIVE US ROOM TO WORK. SHOULDER RESPONSIBILITY. Move over. Slow down. It’s the law!”
We feel it’s important to help spread this life-saving word. During this Valentine’s Day month of February when law enforcement officers around the state, and joining with the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and the Alabama Department of Public Safety are educating the public on the Move Over Law, we are including this message on our website along with links about the Move Over effort.
Drivers need to think about the highway and traffic accident dangers these first responder personnel face every day. In addition to TV and radio alerts, our tab in telephone books has included a wallet-sized cut-out promoting the Move Over Act (and the Emergency Contact Information System).

Here is Terrell • Hogan’s Public Service Announcement on the Move Over Law:  Move Over.

FHP’s Move Over Law Message:

• On a two-lane roadway, 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.
• If you are 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.
• If you are not able to safely move over, you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer. Violating the move over law puts both yourself and a public safety professional at risk. Violating the move over law can result in a fine and points on your license.

For more information about Florida’s Move Over Law, please visit or contact the Florida Highway Patrol.
Florida’s Move Over Law Brochure is at http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/misc/MOL.pdf.
The Alabama Department of Public Safety’s video about the Move Over Law is viewable at
Georgia’s Move Over Law is presented at http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/moveoverlaw.HTML.