Local Law Enforcement To Enforce ‘Move Over, Slow Down’ Law

Beginning Tuesday, May 18th Lubbock area law enforcement agencies will join forces to continue enforcing safe driving in and around Lubbock.

The Lubbock Police Department along with the Texas Department of Public Safety will partner together to focus on speeding violations and to enforce the failure to move over or slow down when a stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck, or TxDOT vehicle have lights activated on roads.

The enhanced enforcement action will take place Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

According to a press release, Texas law states that drives must move over or slow down if an emergency vehicle has lights on and is on the road.

If there is a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, a tow truck, or TxDOT vehicle with their lights activated, or a different visual sign, 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

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

According to the press release from the City of Lubbock, the main areas of focus for the Lubbock Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety will be on major thoroughfares, including the Marsha Sharp Freeway, Interstate 27, and Loop 289.

Every year, police officers and emergency personal, are hit by vehicles that haven't moved over or slowed down. Sadly, many of those involved in those accidents pass away from injuries.