January is Move Over, Florida Month

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), state officials, and first responders across the state recognize January as Move Over, Florida Month to increase awareness of the need to move over a lane when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road. On January 1, 2024, a new Florida law went into effect, expanding the state’s Move Over Law, providing clearer guidelines for drivers to observe. The expansion adds disabled vehicles to the list of vehicles that drivers are required to move over for when approached on the roadway.

Previously, the law required motorists to move over a lane, when it was safe to do so, for stopped law enforcement, emergency responders, sanitation vehicles, and utility vehicles with displayed warning lights.

In 2023, there were 165 statewide crashes due to failure to move over. These crashes resulted in one death and nine serious injuries. Such crashes and losses of life could have been avoided had the drivers who caused them properly adhered to Florida’s Move Over Law. According to the FLHSMV, the state saw nearly 13,000 motorists cited for violating Florida’s Move Over Law in 2023. Violations will result in a fine, fees, and points on a motorist’s driving record.

If a driver cannot safely move over due to traffic — or if they are traveling on a two-lane road — they are required to slow down to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the speed limit is 25 mph or greater, or travel at 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less.

Failing to move over or slow down puts drivers and their passengers at risk and jeopardizes the safety of other motorists, first responders, and roadside workers. To learn more about Florida’s Move Over Law, visit flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/move-over/

Click on the button below to solve our Move Over, Florida Month word search puzzle!

New Project Will Widen I-4 Exit Ramp to Beachline Expressway

Construction is underway on a new project to widen the westbound Interstate 4 (I-4) exit ramp onto the Beachline Expressway (State Road (S.R.) 528). The project began January 8 and will widen the flyover ramp from I-4 to the Beachline Expressway from one to two lanes to increase capacity and make traffic flow more smoothly.

The completion of the estimated $20 million project is anticipated in early 2026.

Crews have been preparing the site by clearing and grubbing, which is a key step before any visible construction can take place. This process removes and disposes of surface material such as downed trees, brush, stumps, roots, trash, and other debris. Clearing and grubbing protects and does not displace any structures that are to remain in place, such as sewers, drains, water or gas pipes, conduits, poles, etc. There is no anticipated impact to the traveling public or businesses with this work.

The Beachline Expressway ramp widening is part of the I-4 Beyond the Ultimate program, which is improving Central Florida’s transportation infrastructure.

Over the past several years, Central Florida has attracted residents and visitors in unprecedented numbers, which has led to increased demand on state roadways. In particular, the number of motorists driving within the I-4 corridor has continued to grow.

Motorists are advised to remain alert and use caution when driving through work zones. Always follow the posted speed limit and avoid distractions to ensure the construction crews can safely complete their tasks.

For more information on this project, visit I4Beyond.com/SR528 .

Advanced Work Zone Information Trailer in Operation at Sand Lake Road

Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians passing through the work zone at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange might notice a unique-looking piece of road equipment with an array of devices and wonder what it is and what it does. The Sand Lake Road project site is the newest home of one of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT’s) innovative, safety enhancing technologies.

The Advanced Work Zone Information (AWZI) trailer is now in operation just west of the I-4 overpass. The trailer, which features video cameras, audible sirens, remote configuration, and Connected Vehicle communication, works to keep both construction crews and passing motorists safer.

The trailer, operated remotely from the Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC), can send information to FDOT about current conditions in active work zones, including lane closures or potential hazards to vehicles, via their connected in-vehicle systems. At the same time, sirens can be activated to inform non-connected vehicles and pedestrians of potential dangers.

The unit’s cameras are set up to detect vehicles entering the work zone, identify when pedestrians enter a potentially unsafe area, and help to deter theft. The sirens and strobe flashes alert both the construction crew and anyone passing by of potential dangers and what type of situation the AWZI trailer has identified.

All the systems of the unit, powered by an array of solar panels, work together to help workers, motorists, and pedestrians safely traverse the work zone.

Previously, the AWZI trailer has been deployed on the Wekiva Parkway construction project and on S.R. 46 in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. FDOT leaders are pleased with the unit’s ability to provide safer work zones.

New Drone Footage Shows Progress at Sand Lake Road and Daryl Carter Parkway

Click on image above to view video.

The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT’s) progress on improvements at the Interstate 4 (I-4) interchanges at Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) and Daryl Carter Parkway continues, as illustrated in the above drone footage from earlier this month.

The first half of the drone video shows work at the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange, where crews continue to widen the ramps to and from westbound I-4. The westbound I-4 entrance ramp from westbound Sand Lake Road will ultimately be on the left side of a new, modified diverging diamond interchange (DDI) configuration, while the existing entrance loop ramp area will be the future home of a new loop ramp connecting westbound Sand Lake Road with Turkey Lake Road, eliminating the existing left turn from westbound Sand Lake Road onto southbound Turkey Lake Road. Pile driving continues in the area to lay the foundations to support the new loop ramp.

The second half of the video shows the dramatic changes coming to Daryl Carter Parkway, where mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls are rising out of the ground and will support the new ramps that will connect to I-4, transforming the overpass into an interchange. The new interchange will feature exits from I-4 in both directions and a new eastbound I-4 entrance ramp. A new westbound I-4 entrance ramp is planned as part of a future project. Daryl Carter Parkway will also become a new DDI.

Each project is also constructing part of a new I-4 Express extension.

To learn more about how FDOT is transforming I-4 through these projects in southern Orange County, please visit the project pages.

Visit the I-4 and Sand Lake Road project page.

Visit the I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway project page.

New Configuration of South Street to Permit Two-Way Traffic

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is improving mobility in the downtown Orlando area by reconfiguring South Street under Interstate 4 (I-4) into a two-way street. Construction started January 21 and should be completed in March.

The addition of an eastbound lane on South Street will simplify travel for motorists entering and exiting I-4 Express. South Street previously only allowed for westbound travel at the I-4 Express interchange.

The project will also improve pedestrian safety for those looking to cross in front of the eastbound I-4 Express exit ramp and westbound I-4 Express entrance ramp.

The addition of larger pedestrian refuge areas will not only give pedestrians more space to wait for a cross signal, but will also shorten the distance a pedestrian must cross, reducing the risk of conflict with vehicles.

The improved refuge areas will protect pedestrians with a new sustainable barrier made with recycled materials.

Overnight closures of South Street under I-4 may be necessary to accommodate the work. Modifications or extensions to the construction schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. For detour information visit fdot.tips/south.

Please view or download this handout for more information about the South Street traffic pattern changes and pedestrian safety enhancements.