CENTRAL TEXAS — State troopers are out in force, increasing awareness for the "Move Over, Slow Down Law."
Established in 2003, the law was for officers to stay safe while making traffic stops.
When drivers see an emergency vehicle they are expected to move over into the next lane away from the stopped vehicle or slow down to under 20 miles per hour of the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is 25 miles per hour, drivers should drive 5 under.
Texas Department of Public safety is always making sure people obey the law but usually, it takes more than one unit on the road.
"We have the three patrol units, one is on the traffic stop and the others are just watching just to see if people slow down move over," DPS Sgt. Ryan Howard said.
State troopers say when drivers are pulled over for this violation many don't realize it was a law to begin with.
"They wanted to do something but they just didn't know what to do and in that instance, they just kept going," Howard said.
This law isn't only to protect law enforcement but all emergency service workers, this includes TxDOT and tow truck drivers. In 2017, tow truck driver Scott Bowles was hit and killed by a driver along Highway 190 in Harker Heights.
Temple Fire and Rescue crews take extra precaution when responding to emergencies.
"We will sometimes have an additional unit respond, we will position that fire truck as a block or a barrier," Temple Fire and Rescue spokesperson Thomas Pechal.
First responders wear safety gear to warn people someone is in the road but the yellow vests wont save them from an oncoming car. Emergency workers rely on drivers to pay attention, stay off their phones, move over and slow down.
"The protective gear that we wear is no match for a 2,000-pound plus vehicle," Pechal said.
Tow truck and TxDOT drivers were added under the law's protections in 2011. Although the act does not include regular drivers stopped on the side of the road, officers say drivers should still slow down and move out of the way in courtesy.
The law is applied to all roads and violators face a fine of up to $500 or a Class B Misdemeanor if others are hurt.
