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"Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties joins the Florida Highway Department  in encouraging drivers to 'move over' and 'make way' for emergency vehicles," says Attorney Randall Spivey. 

Since 1999 thousands of enforcement officers have been injured, and more than 200 have died in accidents caused by oncoming traffic, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). During the month of January, 2014, the FHP is focusing on the "Move Over" law which turns 12 this year. Lt. Jeff  Frost of FHP outline the law's key points in a recent press release:

• Drivers must move over when a patrol car, emergency vehicle and/or tow truck is stopped on the side of a road with lights flashing.
• If they cannot move over safely, drivers should slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit.  If the speed zone is 20 mph, slow down to 5 mph.
• Always approach the emergency vehicle with caution.

In addition to the Move Over Law, there are also laws regarding making way for emergency vehicles.  The 2013 Florida Statute (S316.126) states:

Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, while en route to meet an existing emergency, the driver of every other vehicle shall, when such emergency vehicle is giving audible signals by siren, exhaust whistle, or other adequate device, or visible signals by the use of displayed blue or red lights, yield the right-of-way to the emergency vehicle and shall immediately proceed to a position parallel to, and as close as reasonable to the closest edge of the curb of the roadway, clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by any law enforcement officer.

Data regarding emergency vehicle accidents is very limited.  However, in a report by Hindawi Emergency Medical International, they report that in the United States between May 2007 and April 2009 ambulances were reported as being involved in 359 crashes. Many of the crashes involved more than one vehicle.

Col. David Bierton, the Director of FHP, says, "Abide by the Move Over Law and help us protect our emergency personnel and their families."

Naples Vehicle Accident Attorney , Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.