Most people don’t have a true understanding of how fast cars are traveling on the highways because they’re traveling along with everyone else. If you have ever had a breakdown and exited your car while other cars are flying by at 70 miles-per-hour, then you know. It’s fast! And it’s dangerous.
Police officers, paramedics, tow truck drivers, and others who respond to situations on the highways are often positioned very near the speeding traffic in order to do their jobs and they are in harm’s way. Because of this all 50 states have passed laws requiring that drivers approach emergency and service vehicles on the side of the road with caution, slower speed, and also requires that they “move over.”
In Florida, Statute 316.126 Title: Operation of vehicles and actions of pedestrians on approach of an authorized emergency, sanitation, or utility service vehicle includes the requirement to use caution and move over. Summary: State law requires drivers to reduce speed to 20 mph less than the posted speed limit and, if safe to do so, vacate the lane closest to stationary emergency vehicles, including towing and recovery vehicles, when traveling in the same direction. If such movement cannot be safely accomplished, the driver shall reduce speed.
A Fallen Officer’s Story
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Christopher Seguin Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Florida was struck and killed Feb. 15, ’06, by the driver of a vehicle as he and his partner made a traffic stop on Interstate 595 in Broward County, Florida. He was 23 years old.
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