Page 19 - Boca ViewPointe - March '23

March 2023 Viewpointe, Page 19
Move Over LAW (FS 316.126)

By Elyse Weintraub Brown, Learn the Move Over LAW (FS 316.126) worker. If you are not able to safely move over, you must
Community Education Are you unsure about what you slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed
Specialist, Palm Beach are supposed to do when you are limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer.
County Fire Rescue driving on a local roadway, and you On a two-lane roadway…Where there is NO lane of travel
(561) 616-7051 or see DRIVING BEHIND YOU a fire in the same direction to merge over to, you are REQUIRED
ewbrown@pbcgov.org truck or other emergency vehicle with to slow down to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than
lights flashing and sirens wailing on the the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour
This message is brought way to an emergency? The Answer is …you must yield the or less, you must slow down to five miles per hour.
to you by your friendly right of way. When it is safe to do so, move over as close as In the State of Florida, drivers must also move over for
Firefighters from Palm Beach reasonable to the closest edge of the curb of the roadway, sanitation vehicles and utility service vehicles performing
County Fire Rescue…. clear of any intersection and then stop. When this happens tasks related to their services, and wreckers displaying
Every day firefighters on highways and interstates, rather than stop, slow down and amber rotating or flashing lights performing a recovery
and other emergency responders drive to emergencies. then safely move over so that the emergency vehicle can pass. or loading on the roadside.
What’s more, oftentimes the emergency they are driving Are you unsure about what you are supposed to do when Violating the Move Over Law can result in a fine and points
to is actually in the roadway. Although they are helping you are driving on a roadway with multiple lanes, and you on your license; and worse, because it puts rescuers, civilians,
others and rendering aid, they are also at risk of being see a fire truck or rescue truck working an emergency ON and other motorists at risk of serious injury and even death.
injured and killed on our roadways by motorists. Help THE SIDE OF THE ROAD? The Answer is….When it is safe For everyone’s safety, share the Move Over Law with others.
protect them…because if they can’t help you in your time to do, merge away from a vehicle working on the side of the Help us…help You! 
of need…who will? roadway to provide an empty travel lane for the emergency
PBCFR Yellow Dot Program

Have you ever wondered, what would have written essential medical information about yourself. ** How many do you need??? (i.e. One Yellow Dot
happen if you got into a car crash and you This information can help rescue crews decide the sticker per vehicle & One Yellow Dot pamphlet for each
were unconscious? Have you thought to best approach to your emergency treatment. This is person.)
yourself…how would anyone know what especially important after a car accident where you may be You can stop in to any Palm Beach County Fire Station
my medical history is; or how would they unconscious, in shock, or simply unable to communicate to pick up Yellow Dot pamphlets and stickers for your
know about the medications I am taking; clearly. household. For quantities more than that, please call our
or the medicines I’m allergic to; or better When you can’t talk to Emergency Responders to Community Education Office at 561-616-7033.
yet, how would they know what hospital provide them with vital medical information, the Yellow If your club or organization would like a presentation
that I want to go to…? Who would call Dot is your tool to provide personalized information on about the Yellow Dot, to learn more about additional
my family and let them know I’ve been your behalf! resources available, and to have an opportunity to ask
hurt? How would they even know how to This is how it works…just follow three steps. questions, please call 561-616-7051. Yellow Dot Sticker/
get in touch with my family? 1- Fill out the form on the Yellow Dot pamphlet. Pamphlet sets will be brought to the presentation for
The good news is that you don’t have to wonder or 2- Put the Yellow Dot pamphlet form in your glove audience attendees. Quantities can be discussed when
worry about that anymore. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue compartment box. presentations are booked.
supports a new Program called the Yellow Dot. The Yellow 3- Place the sticker on the back/rear windshield in the Making Your Safety My Priority,
Dot gets important information into the hands of emergency lower left hand corner so emergency responders can see Elyse Weintraub Brown,
responders quickly and it can save your life! it quickly and easily when approaching from behind. Community Education Specialist, South County,
If you are involved in a car accident and can’t *Important Tips* Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
communicate, first responders can look in your glove * Keep the Yellow Dot pamphlet updated as 561-616-7051
compartment box for the “Yellow Dot” pamphlet where you information changes. ewbrown@pbcgov.org 

(786) 318-1450
(local)

(201) 452-6859