We have all been in this situation, driving down the interstate and see a cop or small wreck on the shoulder of the highway. State law requires all vehicles to move one lane away from the “Emergency Vehicle” or slow 20 mph below the posted speed limit. More the often additional wrecks are caused by rubberneckers slowing down to a crawl to get the wreck footage posted on Social Media. The law was put in place to help avoid accidents, not cause more. Please read the law below and follow how it states. Help make sure our first responders go home to their families at the end of the day.
The Texas Transportation Code 545.157 requires drivers nearing stopped emergency vehicles-with lights activated -to either slow down or change lanes.
The law states a driver must either vacate the lane closest to the stopped emergency vehicle if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction or slow down 20 miles per hour below the speed limit. (If the speed limit is below 75 mph the driver must slow down to 55 mph NOT 5 MPH.)
Emergency vehicles include police, emergency medical service, fire vehicles & Tow Trucks.
A violation is punishable by a maximum fine of $200. If the violation results in property damage, the maximum fine increases to $500. If the violation results in bodily injury, the offense is enhanced to a Class B misdemeanor.
The law was passed in the Texas Legislature and went into effect Sept. 1, 2003.
DPS issued more than 41,000 warning and citations last year for violation of the Move Over/Slow Down law
