Physical Control [Traffic Law] Law and Legal Definition
Physical control refers to the means of a person driving vehicle to initiate any movement of, and in close proximity to the operating controls of the vehicle. It is meant to cover situations where an intoxicated person is found in a parked vehicle which could become a source of danger to the operator, to others, or to property.
Actual physical control of a vehicle means the defendant must be physically in or on the vehicle and have the capability to operate the vehicle, regardless of whether s/he is actually operating the vehicle at the time. [In re Std. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases, 6 So. 3d 574 (Fla. 2009) ]