A fatal crash involving a Kissimmee woman in the early hours of Monday, January 24 was a clear example of the importance of moving over a lane or slowing down when there are emergency vehicles on roadways.
Reports from the Florida Highway Patrol indicated the 32-year-old woman died in an accident in northwest Orange County at approximately 5 a.m. after failing to slow down for a Road Ranger responding to a fatal accident that occurred at 3:20 a.m. in the exact same location.
The report stated the left southbound lane was the only one open because of the response and investigation ongoing from the earlier crash. The Road Ranger was parked in the lane next to the southbound lane with lights and an arrow board on to get drivers to move over. There were also cones directing traffic to the left lane.
The woman, for unknown reasons, did not slow down, passed through the cones and collected with the rear of the Road Ranger. She passed away from her injuries at the hospital later.
Drivers must remember to move over
January was Move Over Month in Florida, a month-long reminder that drivers are required to move over (when possible) a lane from stopped emergency, police, sanitation, utility service, towing and maintenance vehicles with displayed warning lights. Drivers who cannot move over or who are on a two-lane road should slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit, or to 5 mph if the speed limit is 20 or less.
Drivers must pay attention at crash scenes and safely maneuver around emergency vehicles to avoid further accidents.
To learn more about the legal options you have if you’ve been injured in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, contact an experienced Bradenton, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.