Texas expands move over law to protect more roadside workers
Texas (KWTX) - Texas lawmakers are expanding protection for roadside emergency vehicles under the move over or slow down law that went into effect in September 2023, adding animal and parking control vehicles to the list of protected workers.
The renewed emphasis comes after Central Bell Fire and Rescue responded to a single vehicle rollover last week, where too many cars drove at dangerous speeds past first responders working the scene.
“We could see people coming around that turn very very quickly, hitting their brakes and hitting their brakes. And people passing us at a fairly high rate of speed, which was concerning,” said Kevin Burzesi, assistant fire chief of Central Bell Fire and Rescue.
Law requires drivers to move over or slow down
The move over or slow down law requires drivers to move to another lane or drive 20 miles below the speed limit when approaching roadside vehicles with flashing lights. The protection covers emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility crews and more.
As of September, lawmakers added animal and parking control vehicles to the protection under the law, expanding safety measures for additional roadside workers.
Firefighter Albert Cabell said the expansion is overdue, citing too many distracted drivers on the roads.
“People just want to record what’s going on and not pay attention to their speed or watch out for first responders or tow truck drivers,” Cabell said.
Emergency responder deaths highlight urgent need
According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, 20 emergency responders have been killed after being hit by cars in 2025, with three of those deaths occurring in Texas.
Burzesi emphasized the human cost of these preventable tragedies, noting that roadside calls often involve multiple agencies and numerous personnel.
“That number gets up to into the number of individuals on the side of the road very quickly. Every single one of those people is a mother, brother, father, husband, wife. We would like to see everyone go home,” Burzesi said.
He stressed the importance of accountability for all parties involved in roadside safety.
“Establishing accountability to motorists, accountability to personnel operating on highway, it goes both ways. There needs to be accountability on all aspects. I believe the more we hold people accountable, the more likely we are to prevent these unnecessary deaths that occur,” Burzesi said.
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