As a reminder, state law mandates that when approaching roadside workers and their vehicles, drivers need to create a buffer zone or slow their roll. The "Move Over or Slow Down" law requires motorists to either shift over to leave a lane between their vehicle and a range of roadside workers - including cops, tow trucks, and TxDOT crews - or drop their speed to 20 mph below the limit. Failing to comply could hit your wallet hard, with fines reaching up to $1,250 for a first offense, according to the Mesquite Police Department.
Law changes beefing up the penalty game came into play this past September. Now, those who don’t adhere to the rules and cause serious injuries may be looking at jail time and fines that max out at $4,000. The original law, on the books since 2003, has been expanded through the years to offer more roadside workers the protection they need while they keep our streets in check.
Every year, workers out on the asphalt - from those in blue to those manning the hook - put their lives at risk just doing their jobs. And too often, they're hit or worse, killed out there. The state's road safety push under the "Be Safe. Drive Smart." campaign is simple: respect the workers dedicated to making sure you can cruise on clear and safe roads.
The Mesquite Police urges drivers to stay vigilant. Stay alert when coming up on any vehicle on the side of the road with flashing lights. Make it a point to safely move over. If that's not possible or the road's a tight squeeze, then it's time to slow down - to 20 mph under the speed limit, or if you're rolling through a 25 mph zone, take it down to 5 mph. Ultimately, it's about making sure that everyone makes it home safe at the end of the day, and obeying "Move Over or Slow Down" is a big part of that.
