07/03/2026
***SIX LIVES LOST IN ONE MONTH***
During the last two weeks of June, three Texas First Responders lost their lives because people weren't paying attention and not slowing down or moving over. There were three more Officers/Deputies across the United States who lost their lives during the month of June for the same reasons.
In every scenario, emergency lights were activated and it should have been a clue to other drivers that they need to slow down and pay attention.
Texas Law (Transportation Code 545.157 -- Passing Certain Vehicles)
states that when you are approaching an emergency vehicle (Police/Fire/EMS/Animal Control), Wrecker/Tow Truck, TxDOT Vehicle, or Utilities Vehicle with emergency/caution lights activated you are to do the following:
* MOVE OUT OF THE LANE OF TRAVEL CLOSEST TO THESE VEHICLES
* If switching lanes is not possible or the road/highway doesn't have multiple lanes in the direction you're traveling, then you shall SLOW DOWN TO 20 MPH BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT.
* Failure to follow the law can result in a fine of up to $1,250 for a first offense.
* Drivers who cause serious injuries may face jail time and a fine of up to $4,000.
With this being a holiday weekend, you know there's going to be a lot of traffic coming through our town. Our Officers will be conducting traffic stops throughout the weekend and while we always try to find a safe spot to pull over off the road, that's not always possible. We rely on you paying attention and MOVING OVER when you can or SLOWING DOWN when you can't move over.
To be quite honest, common sense says you should slow down or move over for ANY vehicle on the side of the road whether they be an emergency vehicle or a POV that may be having car trouble or fixing a flat…whatever the case may be…in order to keep everyone safe!
That being said…and if the law isn't enough of a reason for you to SLOW DOWN or MOVE OVER, then ask yourself this:
Is not sparing less than five seconds of your travel time to slow down for vehicles pulled over with emergency lights on...is that time really worth more than the life of another human being?
