Author: Daryl Magera

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened a new ramp system at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) This new traffic pattern gives motorists traveling from westbound I-4 and westbound Sand Lake Road a more direct connection to Turkey Lake Road while improving safety and easing congestion at Central Florida’s busiest interchange.

The left turn from westbound Sand Lake Road to southbound Turkey Lake Road has been replaced by a new loop ramp, eliminating a turn movement that contributed to backups at the interchange. Drivers on westbound Sand Lake Road can now use the loop ramp to head north or south on Turkey Lake Road. The new ramp system also allows motorists on westbound I-4 to exit directly to either Turkey Lake Road or Sand Lake Road at Exit 74A.

Traveling from Westbound Sand Lake Road to Turkey Lake Road

• Motorists wishing to access Turkey Lake Road south of Sand Lake Road should keep right and enter the new loop ramp just before the Turkey Lake Road intersection.
• The loop ramp will carry motorists over Sand Lake Road and end at Sand Lake Sound Road, where they can travel north or south on Turkey Lake Road.
• Motorists can no longer turn left from westbound Sand Lake Road to southbound Turkey Lake Road.

Traveling from Westbound I-4 (Exit 74A)

• The westbound I-4 exit ramp at Exit 74A now splits into two ramps — one on the right to Sand Lake Road and one on the left to Turkey Lake Road.
• Motorists exiting to Sand Lake Road can still continue to Turkey Lake Road by turning right onto westbound Sand Lake Road and using the loop ramp.

This project marks a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of I-4 at Sand Lake Road, an interchange that serves approximately 115,000 vehicles daily. In March 2024, FDOT converted the interchange to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI), an innovative design that increased capacity and improved safety and traffic flow by briefly shifting Sand Lake Road traffic to the opposite side of the road and eliminated left turns across oncoming traffic to access I-4. Construction on the broader project began in 2023 and is expected to continue through 2027.

As work progresses, these improvements will continue to enhance safety and provide much-needed congestion relief, helping drivers spend less time in traffic and more time at the surrounding attractions, hotels, restaurants, businesses, and neighborhoods that make this area one of Central Florida’s most popular gateways.

FDOT advises motorists to use extra caution, watch for new signage and pavement markings, and plan ahead while drivers adjust to the new traffic pattern.

For more information about the improvements on I-4 at Sand Lake Road, visit the project website at I4Beyond.com/SandLake.

Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Public Information Office at FDOT D5COMM@dot.state.fl.us or by phone at (386) 943-5593.

Tallahassee, Fla. — Driving impaired remains one of the most dangerous and entirely preventable threats on Florida’s roadways. Each year, lives are lost and families are permanently impacted due to drivers operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. One in three fatal traffic crashes in the state involves an impaired driver and accounts for more than 30% of all traffic fatalities. These incidents are preventable and result from decisions that can be avoided. That is why this March, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), and its division, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), urge all motorists to make responsible choices before getting into the driver’s seat.

Throughout March, FLHSMV and FHP will emphasize the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. While law enforcement continues to monitor Florida’s roadways, preventing impaired driving requires the commitment of every driver.

“Impaired driving is a choice that puts lives at risk, and the consequences are far too real for far too many Florida families. Every one of us has a responsibility to prevent these tragedies before they happen,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Through the Never Drive Impaired campaign, we are reminding drivers that safety begins long before they start the car. Plan ahead, make responsible decisions, and remember that you only have one life—protect it.”

“Every day, our troopers encounter situations that could have been prevented with one responsible decision to not get behind the wheel while impaired. Whether the impairment is caused by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue, the result can be life changing in an instant,” said FHP Colonel Gary Howze. “We urge every driver to recognize the responsibility they carry each time they start their vehicle. Every safe choice behind the wheel protects a family, a community, and a future that cannot be replaced.”

Alcohol Impaired Driving

Alcohol remains the leading factor in impaired driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Florida. Over the last five years, alcohol alone accounted for:

• 84.4% of impaired driving crashes
• 35.7% of impaired driving fatalities
• 80.7% of impaired driving injuries

DUI and open container violations also historically increase during the month of March.

Penalties for DUI can include substantial fines, license revocation, and potential incarceration. A DUI conviction remains on a driving record for 75 years. Florida law prohibits possession of alcohol by individuals under 21, providing alcohol to anyone under 21, and possession of open alcoholic beverage containers in vehicles.

Drug Impaired Driving

Drug impairment presents significant risks and varies widely depending on the substance. Unlike alcohol, there is no established impairment limit for drugs. Marijuana is the most prevalent drug found in impaired driving crashes, particularly among drivers ages 10–24. Individuals ages 25–29 represent the highest number of drug related crashes and positive drug test results.

Between 2018 and 2023, Florida recorded:

• 4,000+ drug confirmed crashes
• Nearly 2,300 drug confirmed fatalities

Marijuana also acts as an impairment multiplier when combined with alcohol, prescription medications, or other drugs. Driving under the influence of drugs carries the same penalties as alcohol impairment.

Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving poses significant safety risks and can result in serious or fatal crashes. Fatigue slows reaction time, impairs judgment, and may cause microsleep episodes that leave drivers unable to respond to changing roadway conditions. Drowsiness can occur on its own, but it is also frequently a secondary form of impairment caused by alcohol, drugs, or certain medications—further compounding the danger. High risk groups include young drivers, shift workers, commercial drivers, and individuals with untreated sleep disorders. Motorists are encouraged to rest before driving, take breaks every 100 miles or two hours, and utilize Florida’s rest areas and service plazas.

FHP Enforcement and Drug Recognition Expertise

FHP Troopers and law enforcement officers statewide are trained to identify impaired drivers. Florida has 303 certified Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), including 61 within FHP and nine instructors. DREs complete extensive academic and field training in physiology, vital signs, standardized field sobriety testing, and drug categories, followed by a rigorous certification process. Their expertise is critical to keeping impaired drivers off the road and ensuring that dangerous behavior is identified quickly and accurately. By recognizing impairment in all its forms, these highly trained officers help prevent crashes, protect lives, and keep Florida’s roadways safe for everyone.

Recognizing Impairment

Impairment affects a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely long before obvious signs appear. The five primary indicators of impairment include:

1. Slowed reaction time
2. Limited short term memory functions
3. Decreased hand eye coordination
4. Weakened concentration
5. Difficulty perceiving time and distance

These effects can result from alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications, over the counter substances, or fatigue. Impaired driving is a choice with consequences that extend far beyond a single moment, and every driver has the power to prevent a tragedy before it occurs. FLHSMV and FHP remind all motorists that You Only Have One Life, and protecting it begins with making safe, responsible decisions every time you drive. To learn more about the Never Drive Impaired campaign, access safety materials, and review additional resources, visit FLHSMV.gov/impaired.

The penalties for hit-and-run
drivers changed on July 1, 2014 when the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act (section 316.027, Florida Statutes) was signed into Florida
law. The statute is named after Aaron Cohen, a 31-year-old avid cyclist and
father of two that was fatally struck by an impaired driver that fled the crash
scene in February 2012 in south Florida. The hit-and-run driver was sentenced
to two years in prison, a lesser sentence than what the motorist would have
served had he been sentenced on a DUI manslaughter charge. The Aaron Cohen Life
Protection Act imposes a mandatory minimum of four years for a driver convicted
of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in a fatality.

 Hit-and-Run Penalties

If you are involved in a crash,
stay at the scene and call for help. It’s not just the law – you could save a
life.

Some crashes may involve property
damage only, such as a parked car with no one inside, mailbox, fence, or
landscape/garden. If involved in a crash involving property damage, you must
stay at the scene and attempt to locate or contact the property owner. If you
cannot locate the property owner, the driver responsible for the crash should
leave contact and insurance information in an identifiable location.

In the case of property damage
only, the driver and crash victim – once contact has been made between them –
can self-file
a crash report with FLHSMV, and then do not need law enforcement to
file a crash report.

If you have information on a
hit-and-run crash, you can report it by calling *FHP (*347) or report it
anonymously to Florida Crime Stoppers by calling **TIPS (**8477) or through the
Florida Crime Stoppers smartphone phone app, available free in the Apple and Google Play stores.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and its division, the Florida Highway Patrol, reminds drivers that January is Move Over Month. Under Florida law, vehicles are required to move over a lane for an emergency, service, utility, and disabled vehicles stopped on the side of the road, or slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit if it is not safe to move over. The Move Over Act was originally enacted in 2002 to help protect law enforcement officers, first responders and other public servants while they provide critical services in one of the most dangerous environments: the side of the roadway.

As of January 1, 2025, Florida’s Move Over law has been expanded to include any vehicle parked on the side of the road with hazard lights flashing, emergency flares, or visible emergency signage. Even disabled vehicles or a vehicle with a flat tire is protected under the law.

“Unfortunately, over the years, we have seen many State Troopers, other law enforcement officers, and service professionals injured or killed by someone not giving them the room to work,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “These are preventable crashes that not only take our officers away from their families, but it also takes members of our communities, who gave freely to make Florida a safer place to live and travel. Please remember to slow down and move over. Lives depend on it.”

“Your Florida Highway Patrol and our law enforcement colleagues remain steadfast in our mission to protect and serve the people of Florida every minute of every day,” said FHP Colonel Gary Howze. “We urge every driver to slow down and Move Over when approaching flashing lights. It’s not just the law. Moving over is common sense, common courtesy, and a simple action that can prevent a 100% preventable tragedy. Whether it’s law enforcement, emergency responders, tow trucks, or utility vehicles—slow down and Move Over. Your decision can be the difference between life and death.”

“The safety of everyone on Florida’s roads matters and by staying alert and avoiding distractions, you make the roads safer for other drivers and those responding to emergencies,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “When you see law enforcement officers, emergency responders, FDOT Road Rangers, or other crash responders assisting motorists, move over to give them extra room to work. Let’s get everyone home safely.”

When a driver fails to move over for a stopped or disabled roadside vehicle(s), they put the safety of law enforcement, first responders, public servants, and other motorists at grave risk. The simple act of moving over gives those on the side of the road adequate space and can greatly increase safety on Florida’s roadways. In 2024, there were 205 crashes and more than 17,500 citations were issued for motorists failing to move over in Florida.

Statistically, the age most likely to violate the Move Over Act are drivers aged 20-29. This age group is less likely to move over or slow down when they approach emergency, service or disabled vehicles. That is why FLHSMV educates new and young motorists on the Move Over Act with information in the driver handbook, even including Move Over questions on the driver exam.

“Florida’s Move Over Law is about protecting lives on Florida’s roads,” said Florida Sheriffs Association President and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma. “The recent updates to the Move Over Law strengthened protections not only for first responders, but for all Floridians stopped with a disabled vehicle. Whether it’s emergency personnel, utility workers, or a family with hazard lights on, drivers must slow down and move over when it’s safe. Staying alert and giving space saves lives.”

“Our brave Florida officers and first responders do their best to provide protection to the thousands of drivers on Florida’s roads, so as we begin 2026, we would ask every motorist to join us in safeguarding those who dedicate their lives to protect us,” said Florida Police Chiefs Association President and Ft. Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage. “If you see a police vehicle or any emergency responder stopped on the shoulder of the road, please follow the law, and move over to show our Florida heroes that we respect them. Doing this keeps us all safer.”

The Florida Highway Patrol and our law enforcement partners take a proactive stance by continuously educating the public on Florida’s Move Over law, having seen firsthand the consequences when drivers fail to comply. Violating the Move Over law will result in a fine, fees, and points on your driving record. For more information, see section 316.126, Florida Statutes. Through education and enforcement, we remain committed to creating a safer roadway environment for the men and women who work every day to protect and serve Florida’s communities.

FDOT District 5, Orlando, FL The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened the new
Interstate 4 (I-4) interchange at Daryl Carter Parkway in the early morning hours of
Saturday, July 19, marking a significant milestone in Central Florida infrastructure.
The new interchange provides motorists with additional access to local residences,
attractions, I-Drive, shopping outlets, and restaurants. It is also expected to help
relieve congestion at the nearby I-4 interchanges at Apopka-Vineland Road
(State Road (S.R.) 535), Central Florida Parkway, and Sand Lake Road (S.R. 482).

Around 3 a.m. on July 19, construction crews uncovered overhead signs and cleared barrels,
cones, and directional signs before opening three new ramps — exit ramps from both
directions of I-4 and an eastbound entrance ramp — providing direct access between I-4
and Daryl Carter Parkway. Law enforcement personnel positioned themselves at each ramp
to ensure the safety of motorists using the new interchange. With the ramps now open,
crews will finish project cleanup and move toward completion of the project later this
summer.

Florida’s newest diverging diamond interchange (DDI) improves safety, increases traffic
efficiency, and is cost-effective. Unlike a conventional interchange, the DDI briefly
moves vehicles on Daryl Carter Parkway to the left side of the road at a traffic signal,
eliminating left turns across traffic and reducing the frequency and severity of crashes.
Traffic moves back to the right side of Daryl Carter Parkway at a second signal. With no
left turn signal phase, a DDI can move nearly twice as many vehicles as a traditional
interchange in the same amount of time.

Learn more about the I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway interchange improvement project at

I4Beyond.com/darylcarter.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — This week, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
is proud to join fellow transportation agencies, law enforcement partners, construction crews,
and community partners across the state and country to recognize Work Zone Awareness Week
(April 21-25, 2025) – a campaign which serves to emphasize the dangers faced by road construction
crews as they carry out essential work throughout our communities, as well as the critical role
every motorist plays in keeping these crews safe in and around work zones. This year’s theme,
“Respect the Zone So We All Get Home,” further reflects the importance of engaging in safe
behaviors while behind the wheel to ensure everyone– both motorists and construction crews–
are able to get home safely to their loved ones.

“Our target for a fatality-free transportation future has served as a catalyst for the thoughtful
and innovative approaches we’re taking to enhance the safety of our work zones,” said Florida
Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “At the end of the day, we want
everyone to get home safely to their loved ones, and we all play a role in that – from
FDOT’s use of technology and engineering countermeasures to the safe behaviors of people using
Florida’s transportation system.”

With a continued focus on enhancing safety across Florida’s transportation system through
prudent design, engineering countermeasures, and educational outreach within communities across
the state, FDOT has made great strides in its work zone safety efforts in particular, as seen
through the Department’s evolving and growing use of Smart Work Zones. This innovative approach
leverages portable, real-time technology to monitor traffic conditions and communicate important
safety information to both drivers and workers to further enhance safety and efficiency in
construction areas. By collecting real-time traffic data through sensors placed around the
work zone, timely adjustments to traffic patterns can be made, which play an essential role
in minimizing the risk of crashes and reducing congestion. Smart Work Zones also feature the use
of Variable Message Signs, which provide drivers with up-to-date information on lane closures,
speed adjustments, and alternate routes, helping them navigate through or around these work zones as safely as possible.

FDOT is also celebrating the success of last year’s Safety Work Zone Innovations for Today and Tomorrow
(SWIFTT) Challenge. This Shark-Tank-Style event brought together private stakeholders, industry experts, and
government agencies to revolutionize work zone safety by offering participants the platform to pitch their
groundbreaking innovations and technologies to the Department for future use on Florida’s roadways. The winning
proposals from the Challenge integrate smart technology and human-factors research to improve safety for workers
and drivers, utilizing a combination of LiDAR, radars, cameras, wearable smart watches, and wearable alert speakers
that provide workers with advanced warnings to seek safety prior to a potential collision. These life-saving technology
systems have been implemented on all interstate resurfacing projects starting in January 2025. Following the
resounding success of the 2024 SWIFTT Challenge, FDOT is planning to host an additional SWIFTT Challenge event
in June 2025. More details on this event can be found here:
https://www.fdot.gov/construction/SWIFTTChallenge/2025

In addition to these ongoing work zone safety initiatives, FDOT is close to reaching a major milestone with its
innovative, first-in-the-nation Lane Closure Notification System (LCNS), as nearly 50,000 lane or road closures
alerts have officially been noticed to motorists since the system’s initial launch in June 2022. To further heighten
motorists’ awareness of potential changes to traffic patterns in upcoming work zones, the LCNS leverages GPS and mapping
technologies to provide advanced alerts to drivers about active work zones or lane closures along their route
through navigation apps, serving as an important tool to protect motorists and workers and ultimately contributing
to safer roadways across the state.

To further enhance the safety of Florida’s communities and reduce the likelihood of crashes occurring in work zones,
FDOT has continued to work closely with its law enforcement partners to help motorists easily detect upcoming work zones
and enforce safe and responsible driving behaviors in these high-risk areas. These strong partnerships with local
and state law enforcement agencies are crucial to ensuring safer roadways across the state, and FDOT is grateful for
their selfless efforts to keep road construction crews safe.

“The Florida Department of Highway Safety and the Florida Department of Transportation work tirelessly
towards continued safe driving conditions on Florida’s roadways,” said Florida Department of Highway
Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner. “As we observe National Work Zone
Awareness Week, we remind all drivers to do their part, stay alert, slow down, and practice responsible driving
habits to ensure the safety of everyone on our roads.”

We all play a role in the safety of our roadways and work zones. Motorists can help make work zones safer by:

For more Work Zone Awareness Week information, safety tips, and resources, please visit FDOT.gov/WorkZone.