Texas drivers must pull over or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights—or face a fine of up to $2,000 and potential jail time.
Reduce speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching active emergency vehicles
If on a roadway with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less, reduce speed to 5 mph
Emergency vehicles display blinking red, blue, and amber lights
Texas law classifies an emergency vehicle as any vehicle that displays active blinking red, blue, and amber lights. Here are some standard authorized emergency vehicles to look for:
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicles, including ambulances
Patrol cars
Fire trucks
Tow trucks
Utility vehicles
Authorized Texas Department of Transportation/TXdot vehicles
Penalties for violating Texas’s move-over laws
If you fail to move over lanes or reduce your speed, you could violate the Texas Transportation Code, a Class B misdemeanor. The penalties for violating these laws include:
A fine of up to $2,000 and jail time if there is an accident that causes bodily injury to a worker
If your failure to move over/slow down results in car accidents causing injury or death, you could be subject to additional criminal and civil charges.
Move-over laws keep first responders and road workers safe
Move-over laws require that motorists create makeshift safe zones for emergency vehicles and first responders. Their primary purpose is to protect emergency responders from being struck by moving vehicles while at an accident site.
One of the first move-over laws enacted was in the early 2000s when a South Carolina paramedic, James D. Garcia, was struck while responding to the scene of an accident. Since then, Garcia has lobbied for protections for emergency responders—with great success.
Nearly every state now has a form of a move-over law. But accidents do still happen. In 2021, 65 emergency responders were hit by moving vehicles.
FAQs
When was the move-over law passed in Texas?
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Texas passed the move-over law in 2003. It stipulated that Texans should slow down or pull over to the side of the road if approaching a police car, ambulance, or fire engine. Since then, the definition of emergency vehicles has been expanded to include tow trucks, utility vehicles, and Department of Transportation vehicles.
Can you argue your way out of a move-over law violation in court?
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Some drivers may argue that inclement weather or traffic prevented them from safely observing the move-over law. But unless you have extensive legal knowledge and experience, you should probably consult with a lawyer before disputing a move-over law violation in court.
Can violating move-over laws raise your insurance?
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Whenever you commit any traffic violation, you can expect that it will be added to your driving record and may affect your
A minor one-time offense may not make much of a difference, but insurance companies use your driving record and personal information to determine your rates. Multiple violations on your record can indicate that you’re a high-risk driver,which can certainly result in higher insurance premiums.
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