316.0765  Lane direction control signals.--When lane direction control signals are placed over the individual lanes of a street or highway, vehicular traffic may travel in any lane or lanes over which a green signal is shown, but shall not enter or travel in any lane or lanes over which a red signal is shown. 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. 99, ch. 99-248.

Note.--Former s. 316.134.

316.077  Display of unauthorized signs, signals or markings.--

(1)  No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal.

(2)  No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising.

(3)  This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.

(4)  Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is declared to be a public nuisance and the authority having jurisdiction over the highway is empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice.

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

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 100, ch. 99-248.

Note.--Former s. 316.135.

316.0775  Interference with official traffic control devices or railroad signs or signals.--

(1)  A person may not, without lawful authority, attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down, or remove any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield, or insignia thereon, or any other part thereof. A violation of this subsection is a criminal violation pursuant to s. 318.17 and shall be punishable as set forth in s. 806.13 related to criminal mischief and graffiti, beginning on or after July 1, 2000.

(2)  A person may not, without lawful authority, possess or use any traffic signal preemption device as defined under s. 316.003. A person who violates this subsection commits a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318, and shall have 4 points assessed against his or her driver's license as set forth in s. 322.27.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 101, ch. 99-248; s. 3, ch. 2000-313; s. 28, ch. 2005-164.

Note.--Former s. 316.136.

316.078  Detour signs to be respected.--

(1)  It is unlawful to tear down or deface any detour sign or to break down or drive around any barricade erected for the purpose of closing any section of a public street or highway to traffic during the construction or repair thereof or to drive over such section of public street or highway until again thrown open to public traffic. However, such restriction shall not apply to the person in charge of the construction or repairs.

(2)  A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as:

(a)  A nonmoving violation for tearing, breaking down, or defacing any detour sign.

(b)  A moving violation for driving around any barricade erected for the purpose of closing any section of a public street or highway to traffic that is under construction or repair or driving over such section of public street or highway until open to public traffic.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 102, ch. 99-248.

Note.--Former s. 316.056.

316.079  Duty to yield to highway construction workers.--

(1)  Every driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian worker and flagperson engaged in maintenance or construction work on a highway whenever the driver is reasonably and lawfully notified of the presence of such worker by a flagperson and a warning sign or device.

(2)  Every driver of a vehicle on public roadways shall yield the right-of-way to an escort vehicle or pedestrian flagperson that is engaged in the management of highway movements of an oversize vehicle permitted pursuant to s. 316.550, provided the driver is reasonably and lawfully notified of the presence of such vehicle or flagperson.

(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. 75-132; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 303, ch. 95-148; s. 13, ch. 95-257; s. 103, ch. 99-248.

Note.--Former s. 316.0565.

316.08  Requirements of flagpersons.--Any flagperson engaged in the direction of traffic on public roadways while accompanying an escort vehicle or any escort vehicle must:

(1)  Operate in accordance with all safety requirements prescribed by law and the Department of Transportation;

(2)  Operate only on the routes authorized by a special permit issued pursuant to s. 316.550 authorizing the specific vehicle and the load the flagperson or escort vehicle is accompanying; and

(3)  Meet any additional conditions required in the special permit.

History.--s. 14, ch. 95-257.

316.081  Driving on right side of roadway; exceptions.--

(1)  Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

(a)  When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;

(b)  When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided any person so doing shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;

(c)  Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or

(d)  Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic.

(2)  Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(3)  Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the centerline of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under paragraph (1)(b). However, this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the centerline in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or driveway.

(4)  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. 104, ch. 99-248.

316.0815  Duty to yield to public transit vehicles.--

(1)  The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a publicly owned transit bus traveling in the same direction which has signaled and is reentering the traffic flow from a specifically designated pullout bay.

(2)  This section does not relieve the driver of a public transit bus from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the roadway.

History.--s. 9, ch. 99-385.

316.082  Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions.--

(1)  Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right.

(2)  Upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway, as nearly as possible.

(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. 86-36; s. 105, ch. 99-248.

316.0825  Vehicle approaching an animal.--Every person operating a motor vehicle shall use reasonable care when approaching or passing a person who is riding or leading an animal upon a roadway or the shoulder thereof, and shall not intentionally startle or injure such an animal. A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

History.--s. 2, ch. 83-88; s. 69, ch. 90-321; s. 106, ch. 99-248.

316.083  Overtaking and passing a vehicle.--The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated:

(1)  The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall give an appropriate signal as provided for in s. 316.156, shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle must pass the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle at a safe distance of not less than 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle.

(2)  Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on audible signal or upon the visible blinking of the headlamps of the overtaking vehicle if such overtaking is being attempted at nighttime, and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

(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. 304, ch. 95-148; s. 107, ch. 99-248; s. 3, ch. 2005-164; s. 50, ch. 2006-290.

316.084  When overtaking on the right is permitted.--

(1)  The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:

(a)  When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;

(b)  Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving traffic in each direction;

(c)  Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.

(2)  The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.

(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. 108, ch. 99-248.

316.085  Limitations on overtaking, passing, changing lanes and changing course.--

(1)  No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless authorized by the provisions of this chapter and unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction of any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.

(2)  No vehicle shall be driven from a direct course in any lane on any highway until the driver has determined that the vehicle is not being approached or passed by any other vehicle in the lane or on the side to which the driver desires to move and that the move can be completely made with safety and without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the same direction.

(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. 109, ch. 99-248.

316.087  Further limitations on driving to left of center of roadway.--

(1)  No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:

(a)  When approaching or upon the crest of a grade where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction;

(b)  Upon a curve in the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction;

(c)  When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any intersection, except that this section shall not apply to any intersection on a state-maintained or county-maintained highway located outside city limits unless such intersection is marked by an official Department of Transportation or county road department traffic control device indicating an intersection either by symbol or by words and such marking is placed at least 100 feet before the intersection;

(d)  When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any railroad grade crossing;

(e)  When the view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.

(2)  The foregoing limitations shall not apply upon a one-way roadway, nor when an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway, nor to the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road or driveway.

(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. 2, ch. 86-36; s. 110, ch. 99-248.