316.067  False reports.--Any person who gives information in oral, electronic, or written reports as required in this chapter, knowing or having reason to believe that such information is false, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 4, ch. 74-377; s. 10, ch. 96-350; s. 89, ch. 99-248.

316.068  Crash report forms.--

(1)  The department shall prepare and, upon request, supply to police departments, sheriffs, and other appropriate agencies or individuals forms for crash reports as required in this chapter, suitable with respect to the persons required to make such reports and the purposes to be served. The form must call for sufficiently detailed information to disclose, with reference to a vehicle crash, the cause and conditions then existing and the persons and vehicles involved. Every crash report form must call for the policy numbers of liability insurance and the names of carriers covering any vehicle involved in a crash required to be reported by this chapter.

(2)  Every crash report required to be made in writing must be made on the appropriate form approved by the department and must contain all the information required therein, including:

(a)  The date, time, and location of the crash;

(b)  A description of the vehicles involved;

(c)  The names and addresses of the parties involved;

(d)  The names and addresses of all drivers and passengers in the vehicles involved;

(e)  The names and addresses of witnesses;

(f)  The name, badge number, and law enforcement agency of the officer investigating the crash; and

(g)  The names of the insurance companies for the respective parties involved in the crash,

unless not available. The absence of information in such written crash reports regarding the existence of passengers in the vehicles involved in the crash constitutes a rebuttable presumption that no such passengers were involved in the reported crash. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, a crash report produced electronically by a law enforcement officer must, at a minimum, contain the same information as is called for on those forms approved by the department.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 2, ch. 74-201; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 11, ch. 96-350; s. 90, ch. 99-248; s. 1, ch. 2006-305.

316.069  State to tabulate and analyze crash reports.--The state shall tabulate and may analyze all crash reports and shall publish, annually, or at more frequent intervals, statistical information based thereon as to the number and circumstances of traffic crashes. The state shall maintain separate statistics on the number and location of crashes involving tandem trailer trucks.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 2, ch. 83-298; s. 12, ch. 96-350; s. 91, ch. 99-248.

316.070  Exchange of information at scene of crash.--The law enforcement officer at the scene of a crash required to be reported in accordance with the provisions of s. 316.066 shall instruct the driver of each vehicle involved in the crash to report the following to all other parties suffering injury or property damage as an apparent result of the crash:

(1)  The name and address of the owner and the driver of the vehicle.

(2)  The license number of the vehicle.

(3)  The name of the liability carrier for the vehicle.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-201; s. 92, ch. 99-248.

316.071  Disabled vehicles obstructing traffic.--Whenever a vehicle is disabled on any street or highway within the state or for any reason obstructs the regular flow of traffic, the driver shall move the vehicle so as not to obstruct the regular flow of traffic or, if he or she cannot move the vehicle alone, solicit help and move the vehicle so as not to obstruct the regular flow of traffic. Any person failing to comply with the provisions of this section shall be cited for a nonmoving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318.

History.--s. 4, ch. 75-72; ss. 1, 33, ch. 76-31; s. 300, ch. 95-148; s. 13, ch. 96-350.

Note.--Former s. 316.1031.

316.072  Obedience to and effect of traffic laws.--

(1)  PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER REFERRING TO VEHICLES UPON THE HIGHWAYS.--The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the operation of vehicles and bicycles and the movement of pedestrians upon all state-maintained highways, county-maintained highways, and municipal streets and alleys and wherever vehicles have the right to travel.

(2)  REQUIRED OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC LAWS.--It is unlawful for any person to do any act forbidden, or to fail to perform any act required, in this chapter. It is unlawful for the owner, or any other person employing or otherwise directing the driver of any vehicle, to require or knowingly permit the operation of such vehicle upon a highway in any manner contrary to law. A violation of this subsection is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

(3)  OBEDIENCE TO POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.--It is unlawful and a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for any person willfully to fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any law enforcement officer, traffic crash investigation officer as described in s. 316.640, traffic infraction enforcement officer as described in s. 316.640, or member of the fire department at the scene of a fire, rescue operation, or other emergency. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, certified emergency medical technicians or paramedics may respond to the scene of emergencies and may provide emergency medical treatment on the scene and provide transport of patients in the performance of their duties for an emergency medical services provider licensed under chapter 401 and in accordance with any local emergency medical response protocols.

(4)  PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES TO OBEY CHAPTER; EXCEPTIONS.--

(a)  The provisions of this chapter applicable to the drivers of vehicles upon the highways shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the United States, this state, or any county, city, town, district, or any other political subdivision of the state, subject to such specific exceptions as are set forth in this chapter.

(b)  Unless specifically made applicable, the provisions of this chapter, except those contained in ss. 316.192, 316.1925, and 316.193, shall not apply to persons, teams, or motor vehicles and other equipment while actually engaged in work upon the surface of a highway, but shall apply to such persons and vehicles when traveling to or from such work.

(5)  AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES.--

(a)1.  The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to a fire alarm, but not upon returning from a fire;

2.  A medical staff physician or technician of a medical facility licensed by the state when responding to an emergency in the line of duty in his or her privately owned vehicle, using red lights as authorized in s. 316.2398; or

3.  The driver of an authorized law enforcement vehicle, when conducting a nonemergency escort, to warn the public of an approaching motorcade;

may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated.

(b)  The driver of a vehicle specified in paragraph (a), except when otherwise directed by a police officer, may:

1.  Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this chapter;

2.  Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;

3.  Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property;

4.  Disregard regulations governing direction or movement or turning in specified directions, so long as the driver does not endanger life or property.

(c)  The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle specified in paragraph (a) from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his or her reckless disregard for the safety of others.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; ss. 1, 7, ch. 76-31; s. 2, ch. 77-456; s. 1, ch. 80-176; s. 1, ch. 88-74; s. 301, ch. 95-148; s. 14, ch. 97-256; s. 15, ch. 97-300; s. 87, ch. 99-13; s. 93, ch. 99-248.

Note.--Former s. 316.051.

316.073  Applicability to animals and animal-drawn vehicles.--Every person driving an animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway is subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application. The provisions of this chapter applicable to pedestrians, with the exception of s. 316.130(3), apply to any person riding or leading an animal upon a roadway or the shoulder thereof.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 1, ch. 83-88.

Note.--Former s. 316.052.

316.074  Obedience to and required traffic control devices.--

(1)  The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable thereto, placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in this chapter.

(2)  No person shall drive any vehicle from a roadway to another roadway to avoid obeying the indicated traffic control indicated by such traffic control device.

(3)  No provision of this chapter for which official traffic control devices are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section does not state that official traffic control devices are required, such section shall be effective even though no devices are erected or in place.

(4)  Whenever official traffic control devices are placed in position approximately conforming to the requirements of this chapter, such devices shall be presumed to have been so placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.

(5)  Any official traffic control device placed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and purporting to conform to the lawful requirements pertaining to such devices shall be presumed to comply with the requirements of this chapter unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.

(6)  A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 94, ch. 99-248.

Note.--Former s. 316.053.

316.0741  High occupancy vehicle lanes.--

(1)  "High occupancy vehicle lane" or "HOV lane" means a lane of a public roadway designated for use by vehicles in which there is more than one occupant unless otherwise authorized by federal law.

(2)  The number of persons that must be in a vehicle to qualify for legal use of the HOV lane and the hours during which the lane will serve as an HOV lane, if it is not designated as such on a full-time basis, must also be indicated on a traffic control device.

(3)  A vehicle may not be driven in an HOV lane if the vehicle is occupied by fewer than the number of occupants indicated by a traffic control device. A driver who violates this section shall be cited for a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318.

(4)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an inherently low-emission vehicle (ILEV) that is certified and labeled in accordance with federal regulations may be driven in an HOV lane at any time, regardless of its occupancy. In addition, upon the state's receipt of written notice from the proper federal regulatory agency authorizing such use, a vehicle defined as a hybrid vehicle under this section may be driven in an HOV lane at any time, regardless of its occupancy. The department shall issue a decal and registration certificate, to be renewed annually, reflecting the HOV lane designation on such vehicles authorizing such use. The department may charge a fee for a decal, not to exceed the costs of designing, producing, and distributing each decal, or $5, whichever is less. The proceeds from sale of the decals shall be deposited in the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.

(5)  As used in this section, the term "hybrid vehicle" means a motor vehicle:

(a)  That draws propulsion energy from onboard sources of stored energy which are both:

1.  An internal combustion or heat engine using combustible fuel; and

2.  A rechargeable energy storage system; and

(b)  That, in the case of a passenger automobile or light truck:

1.  Has received a certificate of conformity under the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 7401 et seq.; and

2.  Meets or exceeds the equivalent qualifying California standards for a low-emission vehicle.

(6)  The department may adopt rules necessary to administer this section.

History.--s. 28, ch. 95-257; s. 64, ch. 96-323; s. 14, ch. 96-350; s. 1, ch. 2003-45.

316.0745  Uniform signals and devices.--

(1)  The Department of Transportation shall adopt a uniform system of traffic control devices for use on the streets and highways of the state. The uniform system shall, insofar as is practicable, conform to the system adopted by the American Association of State Highway Officials and shall be revised from time to time to include changes necessary to conform to a uniform national system or to meet local and state needs. The Department of Transportation may call upon representatives of local authorities to assist in the preparation or revision of the uniform system of traffic control devices.

(2)  The Department of Transportation shall compile and publish a manual of uniform traffic control devices which defines the uniform system adopted pursuant to subsection (1), and shall compile and publish minimum specifications for traffic control signals and devices certified by it as conforming with the uniform system.

(a)  The department shall make copies of such manual and specifications available to all counties, municipalities, and other public bodies having jurisdiction of streets or highways open to the public in this state.

(b)  The manual shall provide for the use of regulatory speed signs in work zone areas. The installation of such signs is exempt from the provisions of s. 335.10.

(3)  All official traffic control signals or official traffic control devices purchased and installed in this state by any public body or official shall conform with the manual and specifications published by the Department of Transportation pursuant to subsection (2).

(4)  It shall be unlawful for any public body or official to purchase, or for anyone to sell, any traffic control signal or device unless it conforms with the manual and specifications published by the Department of Transportation and is certified to be of such conformance prior to sale. Any manufacturer or vendor who sells any traffic control signal, guide, or directional sign or device without such certification shall be ineligible to bid or furnish traffic control devices to any public body or official for such period of time as may be established by the Department of Transportation; however, such period of time shall be for not less than 1 year from the date of notification of such ineligibility.

(5)  It is unlawful for any public body to manufacture for installation or placement any traffic control signal, guide, or directional sign or device unless it conforms to the uniform system of traffic control devices published by the Department of Transportation. It is unlawful for any public body to sell any traffic control signal, guide, or directional sign or device it manufactures to any nongovernmental entity or person.

(6)  Any system of traffic control devices controlled and operated from a remote location by electronic computers or similar devices shall meet all requirements established for the uniform system, and where such systems affect the movement of traffic on state roads the design of the system shall be reviewed and approved by the Department of Transportation.

(7)  The Department of Transportation is authorized, after hearing pursuant to 14 days' notice, to direct the removal of any purported traffic control device wherever located which fails to meet the requirements of this section. The public agency erecting or installing the same shall immediately remove said device or signal upon the direction of the Department of Transportation and may not, for a period of 5 years, install any replacement or new traffic control devices paid for in part or in full with revenues raised by the state unless written prior approval is received from the Department of Transportation. Any additional violation by a public body or official shall be cause for the withholding of state funds for traffic control purposes until such public body or official demonstrates to the Department of Transportation that it is complying with this section.

(8)  The Department of Transportation is authorized to permit traffic control devices not in conformity with the uniform system upon showing of good cause.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 72-189; s. 1, ch. 73-310; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 1, ch. 77-146; s. 1, ch. 80-178; s. 4, ch. 88-91; s. 3, ch. 88-93; s. 95, ch. 99-248.

Note.--Former s. 316.131.

316.0747  Sale or purchase of traffic control devices by nongovernmental entities; prohibitions.--

(1)  It is unlawful for any nongovernmental entity to use any traffic control device at any place where the general public is invited, unless such device conforms to the uniform system of traffic control devices adopted by the Department of Transportation pursuant to this chapter.

(2)  Nongovernmental entities to which the general public is invited to travel shall install and maintain uniform traffic control devices at appropriate locations pursuant to the standards set forth by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as adopted by the Department of Transportation pursuant to s. 316.0745. Businesses the parking lots of which do not provide intersecting lanes of traffic and businesses having fewer than 25 parking spaces are exempt from the provisions of this subsection. The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules to implement this section.

(3)  A person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--s. 1, ch. 79-376; s. 1, ch. 90-121; s. 13, ch. 99-5; s. 88, ch. 99-13; s. 96, ch. 99-248.

316.075  Traffic control signal devices.--

(1)  Except for automatic warning signal lights installed or to be installed at railroad crossings, whenever traffic, including municipal traffic, is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red, and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and the lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:

(a)  Green indication.--

1.  Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed cautiously straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.

2.  Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, as directed by the manual, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time, except the driver of any vehicle may U-turn, so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement is prohibited by posted traffic control signs. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

3.  Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in s. 316.0755, pedestrians facing any green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

(b)  Steady yellow indication.--

1.  Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection.

2.  Pedestrians facing a steady yellow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in s. 316.0755, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway.

(c)  Steady red indication.--

1.  Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown; however:

a.  The driver of a vehicle which is stopped at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection in obedience to a steady red signal may make a right turn, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that municipal and county authorities may prohibit any such right turn against a steady red signal at any intersection, which prohibition shall be effective when a sign giving notice thereof is erected in a location visible to traffic approaching the intersection.

b.  The driver of a vehicle on a one-way street that intersects another one-way street on which traffic moves to the left shall stop in obedience to a steady red signal, but may then make a left turn into the one-way street, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that municipal and county authorities may prohibit any such left turn as described, which prohibition shall be effective when a sign giving notice thereof is attached to the traffic control signal device at the intersection.

2.  Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in s. 316.0755, pedestrians facing a steady red signal shall not enter the roadway.

(2)  In the event an official traffic control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.

(3)(a)  No traffic control signal device shall be used which does not exhibit a yellow or "caution" light between the green or "go" signal and the red or "stop" signal.

(b)  No traffic control signal device shall display other than the color red at the top of the vertical signal, nor shall it display other than the color red at the extreme left of the horizontal signal.

(4)  A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as either a pedestrian violation or, if the infraction resulted from the operation of a vehicle, as a moving violation.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 71-376; ss. 1, 15, ch. 76-31; s. 3, ch. 95-333; s. 1, ch. 96-413; s. 97, ch. 99-248.

Note.--Former s. 316.138.

316.0755  Pedestrian control signals.--When pedestrian indicators are installed, such indicators must conform to the requirements of the most recent Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 302, ch. 95-148; s. 12, ch. 95-257.

Note.--Former s. 316.132.

316.076  Flashing signals.--

(1)  Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:

(a)  Flashing red (stop signal).--When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

(b)  Flashing yellow (caution signal).--When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution.

(2)  This section does not apply at railroad-highway grade crossings. Conduct of drivers of vehicles approaching such crossings shall be governed by the rules as set forth in ss. 316.1575 and 316.159.

(3)  A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 5, ch. 86-243; s. 98, ch. 99-248.

Note.--Former s. 316.133.