FLORIDA POLICE RESTART DRIVING CRACKDOWN

A five-year-old state law will be the focus of a driving crack down on U.S. 301 in Alachua County on Monday. Florida enacted a Move Over law in 2002, a year after 24 officers died nationwide after being hit by other vehicles. Similar laws are in effect in 42 other states. Under Florida's law, when an emergency vehicle is parked on the side of a multi-lane road, drivers are required to change lanes to move over as soon as it is safe.

On two-lane roads or in situations where drivers are unable to move over, they are required to slow down to at least 20 miles below the posted speed limit. "It's a common-sense law," said Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell, "but I've found even employees here (at the sheriff's office) are not aware of this law."

To increase awareness, several agencies along U.S. 301 between the Marion County and Columbia County lines will be participating in Monday's traffic enforcement detail. Monday's special detail will be "About enforcement and education," said Deputy Brandon Kutner, a member of the Special Operations Bureau who patrols from a motorcycle.

Everyone who is pulled over - whether it is for a broken tail light, violating the Move Over law or for something else - will be educated, Kutner said. Each motorist stopped will receive a guide to traffic tickets that includes information about the Move Over law. Those who are pulled over for violating the Move Over law will also feel the effects of enforcement - the law mandates a $96.50 ticket, which deputies are quick to point out is a bargain compared to the $500 fine, seven days of community service and 90-day driver's license suspension meted out for violators in Arkansas.

Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Steve Maynard said the law covers more than law enforcement officers. It also applies to firetrucks, ambulances and any other emergency vehicle parked on the side of the street with its emergency lights on. In 2007, Alachua County deputies issued 40 citations for Move Over violations. Maynard said the department has already reached that level this year.