Are medians considered to be roadsides?

Question

I live in Florida and am researching the Move Over Act which requires drivers on two lane highways to move over a lane when traveling in the direction of emergency vehicles parked on a roadside...my question is, what if the emergency vehicles are parked in a middle turn lane, are middle turn lanes and medians considered to be "roadsides"...do they instantly become "roadsides" the second an emergency vehicle parks there?

Answer 1

Median is a bit of a broad term and can mean anything from a strip of land dividing the lanes of travel in opposite directions to a solid concrete wall.

If we assume that you talking about the strip of land dividing lanes of travel in opposite directions then yes,  the emergency vehicle is considered to be on the roadside when parked there.

Center turn lanes however, are a different story.  They are most definitely not the "roadside" but if you trying to act in the spirit of "Move Over Act" then you would definitely want to move over a lane if its available.

Whether or not you'd actually be cited for failing to do this is a very gray area and would be at the discretion of the officer.

Answer 2

In Alberta, Canada, there was a law passed last year where you must either reduce your speed to 60kph, or change lanes when passing emergency vehicles.

If you are travelling in the right lane, and the emergency vehicle is along the right shoulder, then you would make a left lane change (with caution), and continue at the same rate of speed. If you are travelling in the left lane, and the emergency vehicle is along the left shoulder, then you would make a right lane change (with caution), and continue at the same rate of speed.

Ihave seen problems with this due to people not making themselves fully aware of this new law, and they brake hard in both lanes, which can result in a more dangerous situation Whenever I see flashing lights ahead on either shoulder I reduce my speed and stay back. This is another good reason for leaving a good space ahead of you when driving on higher speed roads.

Emergency vehicles are allowed to do anything on any roadway, with caution, of course, and therefore I would answer your question with a YES.

When there is construction, however, drivers in all lanes should slow down due to moving equipment, workers, etc.

Answer 3

Mediums are not considered roads and you cannot drive on them plus the emergency vehicle will direct you where you need to go, just remember if there was an accident that was in the middle lane everyone would be just about at the stop mode.