Williamson County Launches Effort Alerting Drivers To Watch For First Responders On Road Shoulders

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — First responders face peril while conducting business on the shoulder of roadways within Williamson County and outlying areas, with the risk of being hit by oncoming traffic all too real.

To call attention to these dangers, the sheriff's office will join their counterparts at the Leander and Round Rock police departments in conducting a traffic enforcement initiative to educate the public of requirements to which they must adhere when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway.

The initiative will take place May 16-18, according to the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.

The move over or slow down law requires motorist to move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicle when possible or reduce their speed to 20 miles per hour below the posted limit. If the road does not offer multiple lanes, the driver must slow down. The goal of this initiative is to increase public awareness, to develop an understanding of the dangers first responders face while working on the shoulder of our Texas highways and to gain voluntary compliance to the traffic laws of Texas.

>>> Image via Shutterstock