Information for the News Media

Public Information Office
(512) 424-2080

February 14, 2005

Show Emergency Workers You Care –
Slow Down or Move Over

Texas Highway Patrol troopers want drivers to show emergency workers they care, not only on Valentines Day but everyday. Beginning today, drivers pulled over by DPS troopers for traffic violations will receive a flyer that reminds them to slow down or move over for stopped emergency vehicles that have emergency lights activated.

This reminder packs an added punch because it’s the law. Since the slow-down or move-over law took effect on Sept. 1, 2003, DPS has written 2,304 citations and 14,404 warnings to drivers who have violated the law. Although DPS has issued several press releases concerning this law, troopers continue to see drivers who do not slow down or move over for emergency vehicles with lights activated, including police, emergency medical service and fire vehicles.

The slow down/move over law requires drivers nearing stopped emergency vehicles with emergency lights activated to either slow down or change lanes. Specifically, the law states a driver must either slow down 20 miles per hour below the speed limit or vacate the lane closest to the stopped emergency vehicle that has emergency lights activated if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph, the driver must slow down to 5 mph.) Drivers should only move over if they can safely and legally do so; otherwise, they should slow down.

“Our Highway Patrol troopers spend a large part of their time working on highways and roads with vehicles speeding past,” said DPS Director Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr. “Just the slightest slip of the wheel can endanger them. This law requires drivers to give them and other emergency vehicles the space they need to perform their duties safely.”

A violation is punishable by a maximum fine of $200. If the violation results in property damage, the maximum fine increases to $500.

Note to media: We do not have statistics that reflect the number of incidents of emergency workers injured while performing their duties on the side of the road.