Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – Roadside workers, law enforcement and other first responders risk their lives every day, and drivers can help keep them safe by always moving over or slowing down.
TxDOT is sharing its Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign to call on all Texans to be kind, courteous and safe to protect roadway responders.
These individuals are often only inches away from heavy or fast-moving traffic, making them vulnerable to serious injury or death in the event of a crash. That risk to their lives is amplified when people speed or drive distracted.
Expansion of Move Over or Slow Down law
Texas law requires motorists to move over an entire lane or slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching law enforcement, tow trucks, utility vehicles, municipal waste trucks, emergency responders and TxDOT vehicles with activated overhead lights on the side of the road.
Since Sept. 1, 2025, the law has been expanded to include vehicles driven by animal control officers and parking enforcement employees.
The Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign is an important part of TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative. Drive like a Texan is about embracing the pride, camaraderie and responsibility of being a Texan on the road. By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com.
Information source: TxDOT
