Austin Police Enforce Texas 'Move Over' Law

AUSTIN, TX — There's a Lone Star State statute dubbed the "Texas Mover Over Law," dictating that motorists vacate lanes closes to emergency vehicles or slow down to 20 miles per hour before passing. But some motorists aren't getting the message six years after the law's 2013 passage, as a recent police operation illustrated.

Austin Police Department Highway Enforcement officers conducted an operation on Wednesday between the hours of 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All told, 238 warnings were issued to drivers improperly driving past emergency vehicles during the police initiative. Additionally, 2 speeding citations, 4 warnings for other hazardous violations and 17 citations/warnings for non-hazardous conditions were issued, according to a police advisory.

The APD dispatched 18 officers to conduct the effort after they gathered at the Cabela's restaurant parking lot in Buda, 15570 Interstate 35, to discuss tactics. The operation then took place inside Austin city limits.

Grim statistics by road service provider AAA spoke to the need for the police initiative, officials suggested. Research indicates a tow truck driver is killed on Texas roadways once every six days, making it one of the most dangerous occupations. Tow trucks were added to the list of vehicles deemed as emergency-related in a subsequent amendment to the 2013 law, police explained.

"This will be the first of a series of operations to educate the public on the law and to help protect our partners in the towing industry," police said in a press advisory.