The Lady Lake Police Department encourages drivers to be safe, follow the rules of the road, and remain focused when operating a motor vehicle upon the roadways of the State of Florida. One of the common causes of crashes involves distracted driving. Distracted driving is anything that takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, or mind off of driving. One of the most dangerous distracted driving behavior is texting and driving, as it encompasses all three of these elements. However, texting and driving is not the only cause of distracted driving. Other common causes include eating, tending to children, grooming, or checking the GPS system. When a driver is not focused on the road, it limits their ability to perceive a hazard and delays their reaction time to avoid a crash. The Lady Lake Police Department urges drivers to stay focused on driving when operating a motor vehicle.
On multi-lane streets, roads, and highways, drivers are required to operate their motor vehicle in the right half of the roadway except when passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction. Drivers must not continue to drive a vehicle in the far left lane when being overtaken by a faster moving vehicle, unless the driver is preparing to make a left turn at an intersection. Additionally, Florida law requires you to Move Over a lane — when you can safely do so — for stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service vehicles and tow trucks or wreckers.
- If you can’t move over — or when on a two-lane road — slow to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.
- Slow down to 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less.
When you fail to move over, you put yourself and others at risk of causing an injury or crash.
Another common failure drivers tend to do is failure to use a turn signal. It seems like a minor offense, considering the dangers of impaired or distracted driving, but the turn signal is a major player in a lot of accidents. Without signaling your intentions to other drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists, they can’t anticipate your next move. Please use your blinkers, stay focused, and follow the rules of the road and you’ll be making the road a safer place for everyone.
