Main Menu

Clearwater Police Cite 42 for Failure to ‘Move Over’

Move Over | Clearwater Police | Traffic

The citations were part of a special Clearwater police detail on the Courtney Campbell Causeway targeting drivers who fail to obey Florida’s “move over” law.

CLEARWATER – Officers cited 42 drivers in one night for failing to “move over” for a police officer who was on the side of the roadway.

The citations were part of a special detail the Clearwater Police Department ran from late Saturday (Aug. 18) to early Sunday (Aug. 19) on the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

The detail took place a week after two different motorists crashed into Clearwater police cruisers that were stopped on the side of the road with their emergency lights on. The first crash was related to an officer assisting a disabled vehicle; the second crash involved two cruisers that had responded to investigate the first crash. Three police officers sustained minor injuries in one of the crashes. (For story, click here.)

Police officers conducted more than 120 traffic stops late Saturday night and into Sunday morning. The focus was on “move over” violations, and 42 such citations – carrying a $136 fine — were issued. Another 35 speeding citations were handed out. Multiple racing offenses also were targeted, with one driver going 127 mph in a 60 mph zone.

Florida’s “move over” law requires drivers to move over a lane if they can when they see a police officer on the side of the road. If they are unable to move over, they must reduce their speed to 20 mph below the speed limit.

The law is not just for police officers. It also applies to fire department vehicles, tow truck, utility vehicles and sanitation trucks.

Photo taken from video made during “move over” operation. Courtesy of the Clearwater Police Department.

Clearwater Police | Traffic | Move Over Law | Tampabay News

#ClearwaterPolice #Traffic #MoveOverLaw #TampabayNews