Highway patrol asks drivers to Move' Over' for tow truck drivers, too
By Safiya Ravat
Updated 06:16 a.m., Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Houston and Texas
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Highway patrol in Texas will be on special watch this week for motorists who don't move over or reduce their speed while passing stopped tow trucks with flashing emergency lights.
Since a police officer in North Texas was killed on the roadside while pulling someone over, the 9-year-old Move Over/Slow Down law required motorists in the state to change lanes or drive 20 miles below the speed limit when passing the flashing lights of police, fire or EMS vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
Less than a year ago, tow trucks were added to that list.
"This was long overdue," said Michael Scully, owner of Apple Towing in Houston. "The tow truck industry has never been recognized as a first responder, and it's about time."
Raising awareness
Scully has been in the towing business for two decades and said he knows of several local tow truck drivers who were killed on the roadside while assisting stranded motorists. Though he's happy the law went into effect last September, he said most drivers haven't taken heed.
That's why the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Transportation are teaming up to bring awareness to the addition.
"For this week, highway patrol has been asked to place special emphasis on the tow truck portion of the law," said DPS spokesman Tom Vinger.
Violators of the law could be ticketed and fined up to $200, said Vinger.
Drivers can also expect to see the following message posted on electronic signs around the state this week:"If tow truck stopped ahead, move over or slow down, it's the law," according to TxDOT spokesman Bob Kaufman.
TxDOT routinely puts out several public awareness messages throughout the year including, "Click it or ticket," and "Drink. Drive. Go to jail," he said.
"This is just an opportunity for us to bring some attention to this new law that was passed that frankly not many people know about," he said.
In 2011, the DPS issued more than 17,000 warnings and citations for the Move Over/Slow Down law, and 6,000 have been issued since January.
Since a police officer in North Texas was killed on the roadside while pulling someone over, the 9-year-old Move Over/Slow Down law required motorists in the state to change lanes or drive 20 miles below the speed limit when passing the flashing lights of police, fire or EMS vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
Less than a year ago, tow trucks were added to that list.
"This was long overdue," said Michael Scully, owner of Apple Towing in Houston. "The tow truck industry has never been recognized as a first responder, and it's about time."
Raising awareness
Scully has been in the towing business for two decades and said he knows of several local tow truck drivers who were killed on the roadside while assisting stranded motorists. Though he's happy the law went into effect last September, he said most drivers haven't taken heed.
That's why the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Transportation are teaming up to bring awareness to the addition.
"For this week, highway patrol has been asked to place special emphasis on the tow truck portion of the law," said DPS spokesman Tom Vinger.
Violators of the law could be ticketed and fined up to $200, said Vinger.
Drivers can also expect to see the following message posted on electronic signs around the state this week:"If tow truck stopped ahead, move over or slow down, it's the law," according to TxDOT spokesman Bob Kaufman.
TxDOT routinely puts out several public awareness messages throughout the year including, "Click it or ticket," and "Drink. Drive. Go to jail," he said.
"This is just an opportunity for us to bring some attention to this new law that was passed that frankly not many people know about," he said.
In 2011, the DPS issued more than 17,000 warnings and citations for the Move Over/Slow Down law, and 6,000 have been issued since January.
