What is Florida State Laws on????

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I'mabeast

New Member
Apr 5, 2011
268
Massillon, Ohio
Ok, it's possible that I might be moving to Florida in the next 6 months. Here in Ohio I own a non - profit organizion called State Public Courtesy Patrol (just let me make it clear were not REACT) and I would want to do this in Florida if I moved there, and here is what we do:


1. Stop & help stranded motorist with what ever there in need of such as changing tire's, given little bit of gasoline, calling a tow truck, putting air in the spare tire (just some stuff that not everyone can do by themself's)


2. We'll Do traffic control for police, fire, ems


However I don't know what the laws are for Florida emergency lighting is like( what colors are legal) and I've looked online and can't find anything. So I'm asking if anyone know's this law, Thanks for any help given.
 
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patrol530

Member
May 23, 2010
1,016
Central Florida
We have no civilian motorist assistance in the State that I'm aware of. There are already sponsored "Road Ranger" services available on the more traveled and toll roadways. There is absolutely no civilian assistance permitted at a scene involving public safety, in fact the first thing I do upon arrival, is relieve any civilian who might of taken up such duties. I'm afraid that what you might consider the norm in Ohio would be viewed as a nuisance in Florida. Good luck, here is a lighting statute-


316.2397 Certain lights prohibited; exceptions.—(1) No person shall drive or move or cause to be moved any vehicle or equipment upon any highway within this state with any lamp or device thereon showing or displaying a red or blue light visible from directly in front thereof except for certain vehicles hereinafter provided.


(2) It is expressly prohibited for any vehicle or equipment, except police vehicles, to show or display blue lights. However, vehicles owned, operated, or leased by the Department of Corrections or any county correctional agency may show or display blue lights when responding to emergencies.


(3) Vehicles of the fire department and fire patrol, including vehicles of volunteer firefighters as permitted under s. 316.2398, vehicles of medical staff physicians or technicians of medical facilities licensed by the state as authorized under s. 316.2398, ambulances as authorized under this chapter, and buses and taxicabs as authorized under s. 316.2399 are permitted to show or display red lights. Vehicles of the fire department, fire patrol, police vehicles, and such ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal and county departments, public service corporations operated by private corporations, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Department of Corrections as are designated or authorized by their respective department or the chief of police of an incorporated city or any sheriff of any county are hereby authorized to operate emergency lights and sirens in an emergency. Wreckers, mosquito control fog and spray vehicles, and emergency vehicles of governmental departments or public service corporations may show or display amber lights when in actual operation or when a hazard exists provided they are not used going to and from the scene of operation or hazard without specific authorization of a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency. Wreckers must use amber rotating or flashing lights while performing recoveries and loading on the roadside day or night, and may use such lights while towing a vehicle on wheel lifts, slings, or under reach if the operator of the wrecker deems such lights necessary. A flatbed, car carrier, or rollback may not use amber rotating or flashing lights when hauling a vehicle on the bed unless it creates a hazard to other motorists because of protruding objects. Further, escort vehicles may show or display amber lights when in the actual process of escorting overdimensioned equipment, material, or buildings as authorized by law. Vehicles owned or leased by private security agencies may show or display green and amber lights, with either color being no greater than 50 percent of the lights displayed, while the security personnel are engaged in security duties on private or public property.


(4) Road or street maintenance equipment, road or street maintenance vehicles, road service vehicles, refuse collection vehicles, petroleum tankers, and mail carrier vehicles may show or display amber lights when in operation or a hazard exists.


(5) Road maintenance and construction equipment and vehicles may display flashing white lights or flashing white strobe lights when in operation and where a hazard exists. Additionally, school buses and vehicles that are used to transport farm workers may display flashing white strobe lights.


(6) All lighting equipment heretofore referred to shall meet all requirements as set forth in s. 316.241.


(7) Flashing lights are prohibited on vehicles except as a means of indicating a right or left turn, to change lanes, or to indicate that the vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled upon the highway or except that the lamps authorized in subsections (1), (2), (3), (4), and (9) and s. 316.235(5) are permitted to flash.


(8) Subsections (1) and (7) do not apply to police, fire, or authorized emergency vehicles while in the performance of their necessary duties.


(9) Flashing red lights may be used by emergency response vehicles of the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health when responding to an emergency in the line of duty.


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


In fact, you'll of noticed there are no provisions for any civilian light usage, such as described in your post.
 

I'mabeast

New Member
Apr 5, 2011
268
Massillon, Ohio
So I'd be able to have amber lighting cause us State Public Courtesy Patrol is brasitly tow trucks that don't tow, so we'd be able to have amber lighting correct?? If I readed it correctly I'd be able to do courtesy patrol but not do traffic control for accients, and stuff.
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
patrol530 said:
I'm afraid that what you might consider the norm in Ohio would be viewed as a nuisance in Florida.

FYI, it's not the norm in this part of Ohio (Northwest)...... we release such civilian "helpers" as well.... It's a nice idea, but in my opinion totally unnecessary in many modernized systems. The liability of letting a non-insured possibly untrained person get involved in a scene we have jurisdiction of is far worse than running the scene ourselves. Nice idea, not gonna fly in 90% of the places I have run....
 

I'mabeast

New Member
Apr 5, 2011
268
Massillon, Ohio
JohnMarcson said:
FYI, it's not the norm in this part of Ohio (Northwest)...... we release such civilian "helpers" as well.... It's a nice idea, but in my opinion totally unnecessary in many modernized systems. The liability of letting a non-insured possibly untrained person get involved in a scene we have jurisdiction of is far worse than running the scene ourselves. Nice idea, not gonna fly in 90% of the places I have run....

I have 4 years of traffic control experience, and insured part were actually in the process of getting right now (it costs alot of money) so its not like I'm new to anything.
 

5309

Member
Jan 4, 2012
758
Central, Florida
where do u plan on living? This county marion doesn't allow it and if you really need traffic control we have a county road dept that does this kinda stuff in control traffic.


ICA is a road ranger type that works over here in The marion county area off of I-75 area. They help at major crash scene to control traffic flow. etc.


courtesy patrol you might get the cops called on you and ppl in FL are strange when it comes to this kinda thing.


why not get involved in citizen patrols with the county sheriff's Dept.


Free car, gas, lights on the car. and uniform
 

bwoodruff

Member
Aug 8, 2011
499
Upstate NY
I would contact your local law enforcement agency before working in any capacity on any public right of way.
 

NPS Ranger

Member
May 21, 2010
1,989
Penn's Woods
What is Flordia State Laws on????
Ok, it's possible that I might be moving to Flordia in the next 6 months. Here in Ohio I own a non - profit organizion called State Public Courtesy Patrol (just let me make it clear were not REACT, we've been trying to put them out) and I would want to do this in Flordia if I moved there, and here is what we do:


1. Stop & help stranded motorist with what ever there in need of.


2. Do traffic control for police, fire, ems


However I don't know what the laws are for Flordia emergency lighting is like( what colors are legal) and I've looked online and can't find anything. So I'm asking if anyone know's this law, Thanks for any help given.

Couple of thoughts:


First, you'll have a lot more credibility with the state agencies down there if you learn to spell the name of their state correctly.


Second, what part of "There is absolutely no civilian assistance permitted at a scene involving public safety" do you not understand?


Third, what is meant by this statement: "were not REACT, we've been trying to put them out" ?
 

cutiger

Member
Jun 11, 2010
370
SC
Oh boy here we go. :popcorn:
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Jman may have some first hand info.. he worked for a sanctioned roadside assist dept. Contact public safety depts where you live and see what you can do.... I'm sure there is a niche for ya.... we aren just trying to caution you that civilian non-affiliated road assist people are fading away fast. In this age of cell phones and incident command, it's a service that isn't needed most places. I know I'm distrusting, but I'm going to have one hand on my pistol and keep my distance from volunteer road side assistance people.... it's just too big a risk to take for you and the public w/o being affiliated.
 

chief1562

Member
Mar 18, 2011
5,840
Slaterville/NY
:tequila: :popcorn: :coffee:this might run for awhile
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
chief1565 said:
:tequila: :popcorn: :coffee:this might run for awhile

It will be locked soon. The needed ifo has been given.
 

I'mabeast

New Member
Apr 5, 2011
268
Massillon, Ohio
NPS Ranger said:
Couple of thoughts:
First, you'll have a lot more credibility with the state agencies down there if you learn to spell the name of their state correctly.


Second, what part of "There is absolutely no civilian assistance permitted at a scene involving public safety" do you not understand?


Third, what is meant by this statement: "were not REACT, we've been trying to put them out" ?

First off, here our local law enforcement here are glad that were here to help them out, Second the react teams here have been banned from doing traffic control on any state routes & interstates ever again cause they have cause to many accients & we have not, so were trying to take over completely. Third no ones perfect when it comes to spelling, so take a chill pill dude. I've never though about the sheriff thing (where you get free car, gas, lights) so that's something for sure I'll check out. If I move there it'll be Tampa area.
 

5309

Member
Jan 4, 2012
758
Central, Florida
I said:
First off' date=' here our local law enforcement here are glad that were here to help them out, Second the react teams here have been banned from doing traffic control on any state routes & interstates ever again cause they have cause to many accients & we have not, so were trying to take over completely. Third no ones perfect when it comes to spelling, so take a chill pill dude. I've never though about the sheriff thing (where you get free car, gas, lights) so that's something for sure I'll check out. If I move there it'll be Tampa area.[/quote']

The thing here in FL is alot of the older veteran Fire Fighters like that there are volunteers that help out in some sort of capacity driving tankers air support rehab etc.. Its the new younger crowd post 9-11 band wagon one that you got to worry about.


Well where i live the county doesn't give the volunteers the sheriff car, basically when you get approved to become a citizen patrol officer you end up sharing the car and set up a schedule with other citizen patrol officers and patrol during the week and weekend. They help out around with traffic on occasion and direct it at big events. They also do security drive through and show there presence.


The tampa area wont hurt to look into it.(Hillsborough county, pinellas county)


Citizens Patrol | Pinellas County Sheriff's Office


Citizens Academy


GOOD Luck!
 

GaryErrol

Member
May 28, 2010
308
Indianapolis
Here in Ohio I own a non - profit organizion called State Public Courtesy Patrol (just let me make it clear were not REACT, we've been trying to put them out).

What REACT team are you trying to put out? What city are they in? I wonder what they say about your group.
 

NPS Ranger

Member
May 21, 2010
1,989
Penn's Woods
I said:
cause they have cause to many accients & we have not' date=' were trying to take over completely.[/quote']


While the rest of the country exercises on unified command & aims toward interoperability, this guy is going to "take over completely."


Let us know how it works out for you, kid.


IBTL.
 

Jarred J.

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 21, 2010
11,586
Shelbyville, TN
sounds like a good tv show. heck maybe even a movie..


in a world, No in a state, on a road... 2 teams of volunteer trafic workers finght to the death to see who can have the biggest supply of cones and flares.


starring arnold schwazzaneiger as 5309 "get off my road (typical ahnold scream)aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahaha"


sylvester stallone as the captain REACT "Hey yo get off muh road or ill go rocky all over your terminated ass"


2 teams 1 accident scene who WILL WIN!!!


find out this july 4th in select theaters...


and IBTR or L:D
 

Jamey@NNE

Member
Jun 23, 2011
1,661
Ocoee, Florida
Jarred J. said:
sounds like a good tv show. heck maybe even a movie..


in a world, No in a state, on a road... 2 teams of volunteer trafic workers finght to the death to see who can have the biggest supply of cones and flares.


starring arnold schwazzaneiger as 5309 "get off my road (typical ahnold scream)aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahaha"


sylvester stallone as the captain REACT "Hey yo get off muh road or ill go rocky all over your terminated ass"


2 teams 1 accident scene who WILL WIN!!!


find out this july 4th in select theaters...


and IBTR or L:D

Omg lmao!!!!
 

I'mabeast

New Member
Apr 5, 2011
268
Massillon, Ohio
5309: Thank you for the link to the Citizens Patrol: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, I'll certinly look into it.


Well it's still in the air on if I move to Florida or not, my brother lives there and have been trying to get me to come live there for like 5 years now. I was just asking what the laws were and that's it, if I did start anything down there it doesn't have to be call Courtesy Patrol it's just what's it is called here. However more in likely I wouldn't start anything for awhile anyway because 1. I don't know anyone there other then my brother and 2. I would wanna learn the area every well before doing anything, and I understand that Florida has a no citizen assistance at a scene involving public safety. I even understand the part where one person said "The liability of letting a non-insured possibly untrained person" getting involved but every one on the group has training to different things, and I know this cause some of the guys are in the emergency field and there's only 7 guys in the group. I don't allow just regular people to join the group without having certin certifications, and have some kind of verifiable traffic control experience. Which is why there is only 7 of us so far.
 
So you are going to take out REACT with 7 guys? :weird:


Sorry for the OT, but now that we know that this character has 7 "members" in his posse gives even less legs for this fiasco to stand on.


Go get the training if you want to run lights and help people! :bonk:
 

I'mabeast

New Member
Apr 5, 2011
268
Massillon, Ohio
911 Outfitters Texas said:
So you are going to take out REACT with 7 guys? :weird:
Sorry for the OT, but now that we know that this character has 7 "members" in his posse gives even less legs for this fiasco to stand on.


Go get the training if you want to run lights and help people! :bonk:

We have training, and the team were trying to help get rid of only has 10 to 12 guys if even that on there group so yes it's do able, yes I did go back and fixed the spelling on Florida in the orginal post.
 

11b101abn

New Member
Jun 10, 2010
549
Georgia, United States
I would say that litter pick up would be more useful, based on the last time I was in Fl.


IF you really want o follow the $$$$, get into crime scene cleanup. Mucho dollars there.
 
I said:
We have training' date=' and the team were trying to help get rid of only has 10 to 12 guys if even that on there group so yes it's do able, yes I did go back and fixed the spelling on Florida in the orginal post.[/quote']
What certifications do you and your group hold?


Why do you need emergency lights when hazard lights work just fine?
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Contact local LE and get info on official groups. /thread
 
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