DPS TO STRICTLY ENFORCE MOVE OVER LAW

  

The Texas Department of Public Safety says they are beginning concerted efforts across the state on enforcing the Move Over/Slow Down law.

The periodic operations by DPS Troopers are planned throughout the year, with several operations planned in February.

The law, originally passed in 2003, requires motorists to move over or slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit when certain vehicles – including police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks – are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated.

DPS Director Steven McCraw says, “Troopers and other offices risk their lives every day for the people of Texas, and their safety is particularly vulnerable while working on the side of the road, where the slightest mistake by a passing motorist can end in tragedy.”

Violations of the law can result in a fine of up to $200; the fine increases to $500 if there is property damage. If violators cause bodily injury, they can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, resulting in possible jail time and a maximum fine of $2,000.

In 2017, DPS issued more than 10,650 warnings and citations to motorists violating the Move Over/Slow Down law.

 

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11 Comments

  1. Unfortunately we posters supporting this law are “Preaching to the Choir”

    Maybe a big ticket will change the driving shown by far too many discourteous, unthinking, uncaring, drivers. Obviously nothing else will work for some folks. Every driver should (1) slow down AND move over (If it is possible to move over safely) for ANY and ALL vehicles pulled over by the side of the road. It just common sense & common courtesy (Both far too uncommon today). Every driver pulled over has another issue to deal with. Their mind is on their immediate problem. Put yourself in their shoes. The second or two lost by slowing down is far less time lost them what you will lose if you are involved in an accident.

  2. This weekend I moved over for DPS. I slowed down. A blue pickup flashed headlights lbehind me. Then passed on the right. Blazing right past DPS. It had a Michigan plate on it. Do other states have these laws? Even if they do, I guess you can’t fix stupid?

  3. Don’t forget to look out for garbage collectors they have a higher rate of death then police officers according to the department of justice.

  4. OK….Tremendous Law To Be Enforced But Seriously Causing Bodily Injury Could “Possibly Be Only A Class B Misdemeanor” ? Really That I Would Consider A Threat To First Responders In General and Should Be A Felony. I Do Agree With Being On Your Cell Phone Causes A Lot Of Distractions and Needs To Be Addressed As Well.With This Being Said I Back All First Responders and Respect Needs To Be Shown.

  5. Please people don’t forget to watch out for your highway mail carriers. These people risk their lives to deliver your mail.

  6. This seems to be a consistent problem most usually attributed to persons on their cell phones.

  7. It is a shame that this even has to be a law, It is really just common sense to move over into the other lane when you see a police officer, ambulance ETC.. .The law I would like to see enforced is texting while driving, I see people Young and old on texting while driving all the time. and have never heard of anyone getting a citation for doing it.

  8. This is a good law and they should enforce it, but lets not forget to enforce other laws like people who use the left lane for driving instead of passing, just sayin………

    1. The left lane for passing only law is not in place everywhere, especially in and near urban areas. I have two problems with the law. (1) If you are stuck in the right lane and someone wants to enter there may be a problem. (2( My main opposition is that on a roadway with two lanes each direction a driver wanting to drive the speed limit in the right hand lane gets caught behind a slow moving vehicle, often someone going 20 MPH under the speed limit or a slow moving eighteen wheeler or a pick-up pulling a trailer. It can take forever to pass due to speeders, many driving well over the speed limit passing you in the left lane. This is a real problem in heavy traffic. Think many spots on US 290. The law works better on roads with 3 lanes in each direction and where the traffic is not heavy.

      1. As stated above, all it takes is common sense. If your in the left lane moving along the same speed as the right lane, MOVE OVER. If your in the left lane going slower or the same speed as the right lane traffic and holding up traffic behind you ( nobody in front of you ) causing a traffic jam, MOVE OVER. It’s people like you that cause traffic jams for no reason other than you think you might come up on slower traffic and get caught behind them…..here’s a thought, look ahead when your driving and you won’t get caught behind the slow traffic. O it is a state law, too.

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