DPS: Move Over/Slow Down task force to be enforced on Potter County roadways May 6 (TX)

[TowNews]

DPS: Move Over/Slow Down task force to be enforced on Potter County roadways May 6

 

On Thursday, members from the Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers, Amarillo Police Department Motors Unit and Potter County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a joint task force to enforce the Move Over/Slow Down law. According to a news release, the task force will take place on major roadways in Potter County.

 

The release states that the law requires motorists to "move over or slow down when certain vehicles are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. These vehicles include police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) vehicles and tow trucks."

 

Specifically, Texas law states that a driver must either:

• Vacate the lane closest to the applicable vehicles stopped on the side of the road (if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction), or

• Slow down 20 mph below the posted speed limit. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph, the driver must slow to 5 mph.)

Drivers should only move over if they can do so safely and legally; otherwise, they should slow down.

Violators of this law could face a fine up to $200. The fine increases to $500 if there is property damage, and if violators cause bodily injury, they can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, resulting in possible jail time and maximum fine of $2,000.

"Police officers, emergency personnel, tow truck drivers and TXDOT workers are more vulnerable on the side of the road and are at great risk of being struck by passing motorists," the release states. "DPS encourages drivers to do their part by adhering to the law – move over or slow down."

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