Mark Jenkins - AAA - Move Over Law

The Florida Legislature has sent Govenor DeSantis a bill that expands the Move Over Law to include any disabled vehicle with flashing lights or emergency displays on. Right now it only applies to first responders, emergency and tow truck workers.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Gordon Byrd here with Beyond the News. The move over law has been around
for a number of years in Florida, but in a few weeks spending the
Governor's signature, it will include manymore situations in which you could be cited
if you don't move over or slowdown. Mark Jenkins is with Triple A
Auto Club group here in Florida,and he is going to explain for us

(00:22):
what's going to be going on here. Mark. Welcome to Beyond the News.
Hey, Gordon, thanks for havingme. All Right, what are
the changes that we're talking about?And it sounds as though it's already passed
the legislature and it's on the governor'sdesk. What are the changes that we're
talking about in the move over law. Yeah, so when this is signed,
it goes into effect. Essentially,drivers will be required to move over

(00:44):
for any vehicle that's on the roadsidewith flashing lights on. Up until this
bill is passed, the requirement wasthat drivers move over for first responders,
tow truck drivers, emergency workers,things like that. And you know,
in Triple Way advocated late last yearand as long as we could to try
to enhance that move over law.And to make the roadside safer for everyone,

(01:07):
because I mean, if you havea flat tire, your vehicle breaks
down and you're stuck on the roadside, you're in danger too. And so
this law will help enhance safety foreveryone. And that's a good point.
And as you mentioned, tow truckdrivers are already covered by the law,
and that's certainly something that is importantbecause we have a lot of people who

(01:33):
are injured and killed in these typesof accidents that involve people that are broken
down by the side of the road. In fact, you I think you
have some information on that, Yeah, most definitely. I mean just during
a four year period, an averageof nearly three hundred fifty people per year
we're struck and killed while outside ofa disabled vehicle on the roadside. That's

(01:56):
just people outside of a disabled vehicle. On average, two emergency responders that
includes TOE workers are struck and killedevery month. That's two people every month
killed by a driver who's failing toobey move over laws. Roadside crashes most
notably deadly for toe workers. Ofcourse, those are they're near and dear
to us. I mean, youknow, Triple A sends out toe truck

(02:17):
workers to rescue people on the roadside, and those people are also in harm's
way. Toe operators are killed ata rate of almost forty three deaths per
one hundred thousand workers as a verydangerous line of work, and so we're
doing everything we can to try tomake their lives safer as well, because
again, when you're putting yourself onthe roadside, you're putting yourself in harm's

(02:38):
way, and if people are notgiving you that extra space, then things
can get really dicey out there ina hurry, particularly with you know,
cell phones, with distraction. Alot of drivers are driving distracted now,
unfortunately, and when they're distracted,they're not looking at you all the different

(02:59):
elements out there and not constantly scanningthe road for people who might be on
the roadside and unfortunately might not beable to take those evasive maneuvers, and
that's oftentimes what leads to those deadlycrashes, and that would certainly have to
be a factor in that. Westill see even to this day with bodycam
and dash cam video of even lawenforcement officers who are out dealing with a

(03:24):
motorist or a traffic situation, theirvehicles, their patrol cars getting clipped by
somebody not paying attention. Yeah,I mean it's it's really scary video when
you when you look at it,and then I mean that pales in comparison
to what those people were actually goingthrough, right, and so, I

(03:44):
you know, the move over lawhas been an effect to protect first responders
and stop things like that from happening, but unfortunately those things do still happen.
So you know, it's we don'tnecessarily believe that this is going to
stop you know, roadside crashes fromhappening, but the hope is is that
this is going to bring a renewedsense of awareness to people drivers, specifically

(04:08):
that they need to move over andgive extra space when they see someone on
the roadside, regardless of who itis. You know, every life is
important, and you know it's veryimportant for drivers to make sure that they're
extending that courtesy to those around theroadside to make sure that they can get
back up and moving again, becausenobody really wants to be on the roadside
with a flat tie or anything likethat. So you know, if you

(04:30):
can give them that extra space,then they can get home safely to their
families as well. Clearly, it'sa situation where it's going to take more
than a law to limit and reduceand hopefully eliminate the number of people who
are injured in these move over situations. So what are some tips. Let's
say, if you're driving and youdon't want to get into a situation where

(04:53):
you end up in a situation whereyou end up striking somebody who's stranded by
the side of the road, orif you find yourself broken down by the
side of the road to place nobodywants to be. What are some things
you can do to keep yourself safe. I think remaining alert, avoiding distractions,

(05:14):
and focusing on driving. That's reallythe key here. If you're alert
and focused on the road in frontof you, in front of you,
you're constantly scanning from left or rightlooking for potential hazards, then you are
able to respond to those, whereasif you're looking down at your phone,
if you're talking to your passenger andlooking away from the road, you're not

(05:35):
going to be able to respond.If you are approaching some type of hazard,
whether that's something in the road oron the roadside, you know,
it's so important for you to befocused. So remaining alert, keeping an
eye out for emergency vehicles, andthat includes toad trucks, people who are
on the road side if they havetheir hazard lights on. And then even

(05:58):
if you're not a driver, youcan be a good passenger, help identify
roadway roadway issues, remind the driverto slow down, move over, let
them know that something is approaching.And then of course, just again watching
for people on the roadside. Justbecause you don't immediately see them, doesn't
mean they're not there bent down bytheir vehicle, in front of the vehicle,

(06:18):
or about to get in or outof the vehicle. You know.
It's just if you see a vehicleon the roadside the hazard lights are on,
just give them extra space. Andif you happen to be broken down
by the side of the road yourselfand you're trying to change a tire or
whatever, where are some things youcan do to keep yourself safe. Well
as far over on the shoulder safelyas possible. You want to create as

(06:41):
much distance between your vehicle and oncomingtraffic as you possibly can. Turn on
your hazard lights, and if you'reable to safely make it to the next
exit or stopping point, do thatif you can, but you know,
as soon as it's safe to doso, get as far away from traffic
as you can call for assistance,whereas via phone, website for Triple A
app, you know, and we'llsend out our roadside technician to try to

(07:04):
get you assistance as much as possible. And the great thing too, is
that that's just one additional layer ofsafety and notification to passing drivers, passing
motorists that hey, there's a there'sa vehicle on the roadside. We're going
to turn on our flashing lights andtry to draw more attention and try to

(07:24):
ensure that people are aware that you'rethere and they'll move over. Mark Jenkins
with Triple A Auto Club Group,thank you very much for joining us on
Beyond the News. Thank you Gordon