Texas Border Business
TxDOT – Earlier this week, a vehicle struck a TxDOT contractor collecting debris from I-2, in Mercedes. The crash caused a 2-hour closure of the expressway and a diesel spill. On the heels of that incident, TxDOT is reminding the public about the Move Over Slow Down law which requires drivers to move over one lane or slow down 20 mph below the posted speed limit whenever they see law enforcement, tow trucks, utility vehicles, emergency responders and TxDOT vehicles stopped with their overhead lights activated. Drivers who fail to do so can be fined up to $1,250 for the first offense. Drivers who cause serious injuries while neglecting the law may face jail time and a fine up to $4,000.
TxDOT is also reminding drivers to secure their loads for safer roads. Property not properly stowed or tied down in vehicles can fly out and seriously injure people and damage other vehicles. Statewide, TxDOT spends 50 million dollars a year collecting debris from state highways. Items include mattresses, ladders, construction materials, ice chests and piles of trash that intentionally or unintentionally flies out of vehicles.
The lives of workers collecting the trash and debris next to live traffic are put at risk when drivers don’t move over or slow down
Information Source: TxDOT
