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Highlands Today

'Move Over' Enforcement Stops 417 Drivers

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: July 5, 2008

SEBRING — Four hundred and seventeen traffic stops were made locally by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office during last week's statewide Move Over Enforcement Wave.

During the week long campaign, from June 23-29, law enforcement agencies statewide issued more than 4,500 citations to Move Over Law violators and more than 10,000 warnings, which included Move Over violations and other offenses.

Sixty-six citations were issued in the county for violation of Florida's Move Over Law — with 243 total citations written — including 112 written warnings, during the weeklong educational campaign.

Enacted in 2002, the law requires drivers to move over one lane whenever an emergency vehicle on the side of the road has emergency lights activated. If moving over is not an option, the drivers must simply slow down at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

During the five-year period of 1996-2000, motorists in Florida crashed into working law enforcement vehicles that were stopped or parked along Florida roadways 1,793 times, resulting in five deaths and 419 injuries.

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 863-386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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