A famous state is now adopting a bill that would prevent highway workers from dying in car accidents. The measure is another one created by lawmakers to avoid more people dying in car wrecks. As thousands of people lost their lives in the last three years while driving, multiple regions in the country are changing their laws to ensure the population is safe, and this new “Move over or slow down” law has big problems for those who do not follow it. As the speed limit is higher in this region, the consequences for a car accident must be too.
“New” bill will take effect soon: Drivers must pay attention in this state
Not only do people commuting to work need to be safe on highways. Those who are working are also a big part of why accidents happen on these roads, as many other drivers do not pay attention to what is going on because of distractions inside the car, especially phones. However, with more lanes than a normal road or street, highways were designed for people to be separated, but that is not what is happening.
As the new school year approaches, new bills will be implemented to keep children safe on their way to school or coming back home. Thousands end up injured due to excessive speed in areas that are not appropriate for speeders. While Connecticut has changed its state laws to make this region safer, Texas is now pushing for a stricter measure, with severe consequences.
Texas has tightened its bill: Offenders will face $4,000 fines and jail time
Every week, millions of Texans drive past police, EMTs, and road crews working just feet from traffic. Too often, those workers are hurt—or worse—while on the job. That’s why TxDOT is urging drivers to “Move Over or Slow Down with the Texas Senate Bill 305. The law requires you to either leave a lane between your car and the workers or drop your speed by 20 mph below the posted limit.
The law covers police, tow trucks, utility trucks, emergency vehicles, and any TxDOT crews stopped with their lights on. Updates that took effect on September 1, 2023, raised the penalties: fines can hit $1,250 for a first offense, and up to $4,000 plus jail time if someone gets seriously hurt.
Highway workers are in evidence: Tips to not hurt anyone
These workers keep Texas roads running, but every year, some are injured or killed while doing it. TxDOT’s BeSafe. Drive Smart. The campaign asks drivers to give them the space and respect they deserve – and need – to do their work. The rules are:
- Pay attention when you see flashing lights.
- Move over a lane if you can.
- If you can’t, slow down by 20 mph.
- On streets with 25 mph limits, slow to 5 mph.
Texas first passed the Move Over law in 2003 for emergency responders. Since then, it’s expanded to cover TxDOT vehicles, tow trucks, and utility service crews. “Be Safe. Drive Smar.” is also part of a campaign to end daily roadway deaths in the state. Texas hasn’t had a day without a traffic fatality since November 7, 2000. This could change soon as new bills are being implemented to make drivers go slower, like what’s happening in Connecticut.
The speed limit is also a problem in Texas: It’s higher than in other states
The imposed speed limits are also a factor that could impact this new law. Six other states — Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming — have maximum speed limits of 80 mph. In Texas, the law allows speeds of up to 85 mph on roads specifically designed for it, though no such stretches are currently in effect. Meanwhile, in another area, officials are pushing for a 50 mph limit.