Harris County deputy fatality serves as a tragic reminder to observe Move Over/Slow Down law

The death of a deputy this morning following a collision in northwest Harris County serves as a reminder to move over or slow down when passing roadside workers.

The Harris County deputy was assisting at a crash scene on the Grand Parkway at Cumberland Ridge Drive when he was struck by an ongoing vehicle.

• Deputy dies after being struck by vehicle while assisting another crash on Grand Parkway in northwest Harris County

Law enforcement officers, first responders, and road maintenance crews work right next to drivers on highways every week and some of them die every year on the job. TxDOT urges Texas drivers to “Move Over or Slow Down” so that roadside workers are protected.

The Texas Move Over/Slow Down law requires that passing motorists move out of the lane closest to an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadway, or if they can’t safely move, reduce driving speeds to 20 miles below the posted limit.

According to AAA Texas, an average of 24 emergency responders, including tow operators, are struck and killed by vehicles while helping other drivers on the side of the road. This means someone in this line of work is either injured or killed every other week nationwide.

In the course of doing their job, police officers, tow truck drivers, and other roadside workers are often hit, injured, or killed

SEE ALSO: Move over, slow down: Dangerous driver habits putting roadside crews at risk

For a first offense, fines of up to $1,250 could apply under changes to the law that went into effect on Sept. 1, 2023. Drivers who break these laws and cause serious injuries now face jail time and fines of up to $4000.

In the course of doing their job, police officers, tow truck drivers, and other roadside workers are often hit, injured, or killed.

The Move Over or Slow Down law requires drivers to:

• Be on alert and pay attention when approaching roadside law enforcement, emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility vehicles and TxDOT vehicles with flashing lights on.
• When possible, move out of the lane closest to these vehicles.
• Slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit if safely switching lanes is not possible or the road doesn’t offer multiple lanes.
• Reduce speed to 5 mph on roadways with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less.

SEE ALSO: What to know about the ‘Move over/slow down’ law now that DPS is stepping up enforcement

Since 2003, law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services vehicles have been subject to the state’s Move Over or Slow Down law.