DALLAS — Move over or slow down is a phrase most drivers in the state have become familiar with over the last two decades. If you drive in Texas, you are required by law to follow this rule of the road.
What you may not know is that changes were made to the law recently that went into effect back in September 2023. The updated law will impose harsher penalties for violations including fines of just over $1,000 for a first offense.
Even stricter penalties were created for drivers who cause serious injuries by failing to follow the rules, including possible jail time and a fine of up to $4,000.
If you’re new to Texas, you’ll see signs reminding you to ‘move over, slow down’ when you pass through construction zones. That means you need to put a lane between drivers and roadside workers.
Motorists should reduce your speed to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit when passing law enforcement, tow trucks, utility vehicles, emergency responders and even TxDOT vehicles stopped with activated overhead lights on the side of the road.
According to TxDOT, the state of Texas hasn’t had a single deathless day on our roads since November 7, 2000.