Texas just made a significant addition to its "Move Over or Slow Down" law. As reported by the City of Carrollton, starting September 1, animal services vehicles have joined the ranks of emergency vehicles that drivers should give space to on the road. This includes when these vehicles are stopped, a measure aimed at protecting both the animal services officers and the animals they're attending to.
The expanded law is a part of the Texas Transportation Code 545.157 and now recognizes animal services officers as first responders in their own right—acknowledging the risks they take when doing their job on the road. When encountering a stopped animal services vehicle, drivers must either switch lanes or, if that’s not possible, slow down by at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit. This change comes with the understanding that these officers often find themselves in harm’s way to safeguard stray and injured animals.
Violating the "Move Over or Slow Down" law can lead to hefty fines and penalties, signaling the seriousness with which Texas views the safety of roadside workers and, now, by extension, animal services vehicles. The adaptation of the law means that even when an animal services vehicle is stationary without active lights, motorists are still required to adjust their driving accordingly.
