City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: Oct. 10, 2012

Contact: Contact: Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email

Central Texas Move Over Law Initiative

One hundred and seventy five law enforcement officers nationwide were killed in the line of duty between 1999 and 2011 after being struck by a vehicle.

The Austin Police Department’s Highway Enforcement Command is joining forces with numerous Central Texas law enforcement agencies along the IH-35, IH-10 and Loop-1604 highways in an enhanced enforcement operation targeting drivers who are illegally Passing Authorized Emergency Vehicles.

The operation will begin on Monday, October 15, 2012 and end on Friday, November 2, 2012. The following agencies are participating:

• Georgetown Police Department
• Round Rock Police Department
• Buda Police Department
• Kyle Police Department
• Hays County Sheriff’s Office
• San Marcos Police Department
• New Braunfels Police Department
• Live Oak Police Department
• San Antonio Police Department
• Comal County Sheriff’s Office

• Schertz Police Department
• Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office
• Selma Police Department
• Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
• Windcrest Police Department
• Kirby Police Department
• Seguin Police Department
• Cibolo Police Department
• Universal City Police Department
• Converse Police Department

‘Move over laws’ are commonly referred to as laws which are intended to protect the driving public, emergency responders, tow truck drivers and transportation workers by requiring drivers to slowdown and/or move over a lane when passing authorized emergency vehicles that have their lights activated. The laws differ from state to state as to the actions specifically required of drivers and the situations they apply in.

According to the ‘Move Over, America’ webpage, 49 U.S. states have passed ‘move over laws’. The Texas Transportation Code 545.157 defines the requirements of the Texas Move Over Act (TMOA). It requires that drivers vacate the lane adjacent to a stopped emergency vehicle that has its emergency lights on or slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is at or above 25 miles per hour (or slow to 5 mph when the posted speed is less than 25 mph).

For more information, contact Lieutenant Justin Newsom with the Highway Enforcement Command at 512-974-6679.

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