The new law goes into effect on September 1. Drivers must move over or slow down when approaching construction workers or vehicles that are stopped with overhead flashing blue or amber lights.
"We are very pleased the Legislature recognizes the dangers our employees face each day while working to maintain and build the state's vast highway network," said Phil Wilson, TxDOT's executive director.
According to Wilson, more than 100 TxDOT employees working in construction areas have been struck and killed by motorists since 1938.
The new addition to the Move Over law means drivers must move out of the lane closest to the TxDOT vehicle when possible or reduce their speed to 20 miles per hour below the posted limit. If the road does not offer multiple lanes, the driver must slow down.
On roadways with posted speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less, drivers must reduce their speed to 5 miles per hour.
Violators can be fined up to $2,000.
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