Florida Steps Up Roadside Safety Campaign Following Crashes

After a troubling spike in crashes involving Road Rangers, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is intensifying efforts to protect its roadside workers and raise awareness of Florida’s Move Over Law.

Since May 2023, eight Road Rangers have been struck while assisting motorists, three of whom suffered serious injuries, according to a report from WFTV.com. These incidents underscore the danger that road workers face daily from passing vehicles, especially when drivers fail to slow down or change lanes.

“We’re trying to get people home, but we also want to go home also at the end of our shifts,” said Justin Carpenter, a Road Ranger who was injured when a driver ignored safety cones and crashed into his vehicle. He was sidelined for three months.

In response, FDOT is deploying new outreach tactics, including airing safety messages at over 400 gas station pumps across Central Florida and distributing informational tip cards to rental car drivers unfamiliar with state laws.

Florida’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over a lane — or slow down to 20 mph below the posted limit — for any stopped emergency, service or utility vehicle displaying warning lights. Violations can result in fines and points on a driver's license.

More information about the law and safety resources is available at flhsmv.gov/MoveOver.

Source: WFTV.com, MSN.com