On this National Move Over Day, the McKinney Police Department emphasizes the importance of following the Move Over or Slow Down law to ensure the safety of emergency personnel, road workers, and drivers. The department highlights a few recent accidents in the city that were the result of drivers not adhering to this law.
Fortunately, no serious injuries occurred in these preventable accidents. The Move Over or Slow Down law, which was originally designed to protect police, fire, and emergency vehicles, has been extended to provide the same protection for TxDOT work crews and other roadside workers.
Under the law, drivers must either move over to the next lane or reduce their speed to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching emergency vehicles, law enforcement, tow trucks, utility service vehicles, TxDOT vehicles, or other highway construction or maintenance vehicles displaying visual signals or activated flashing lights on the roadside. In areas where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less, drivers must slow down to 5 miles per hour.
Drivers who fail to comply with this law and obstruct the ability of emergency and work crews to carry out their duties may face a fine of up to $200. In the event of a crash that results in an injury to a worker, drivers can be fined up to $2,000, in accordance with the Texas Transportation Code 545.157.
This National Move Over Day, the McKinney Police Department urges all drivers to take heed of these safety regulations, promote responsible driving, and ensure the well-being of those who work tirelessly to keep our roadways safe.
