AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Department of Public Safety is beginning enforcement efforts across the state, focusing specifically on violations of the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law. 

• Enforcement efforts are periodically planned annually
• Several operations are planned in December

DPS troopers periodically plan such efforts throughout the year at various locations in Texas.  Several operations are planned in December. One of those operations will take place in Southeast Texas throughout the day on Wednesday, December 19. The Department of Transportation will be participating in a non-enforcement capacity.

The law, originally passed in 2003, requires motorists to move over or slow down when certain vehicles - including police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks - are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated.

Nuts and bolts of the law:

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

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

Violations of the law can result in a fine of up to $200. The fine increases to $500 if there is property damage. If bodily injury is caused, violators can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, resulting in possible jail time and a maximum fine of $2,000. Preliminary data from January through October 2018 shows that DPS issued more than 35,000 warnings and citations to motorists violating the Move Over/Slow Down law.