Updated · Safety on the road
What the law asks you to do
When you approach a covered vehicle stopped with its lights flashing, the law gives you two ways to comply. On a road with at least two lanes going your direction, you can leave the lane closest to the stopped vehicle. Or you can slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. TxDOT's advice is to move over when you safely can and slow down when you can't.
On slow streets posted under 25 mph, the required speed is 5 mph. If a police officer at the scene gives other directions, follow the officer.
Which vehicles are covered
The list has grown since the law first passed. It covers these vehicles when they're stopped and using their flashing lights or required signals:
Lawmakers have changed the list several times, so check TxDOT's Move Over or Slow Down page for the current version.
- Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles
- Tow trucks
- TxDOT vehicles and highway construction or maintenance crews
- Utility service trucks
- Garbage and recycling trucks working along the road
- Vehicles working for a toll road
- Animal control and parking enforcement vehicles, added in September 2025
What it doesn't cover
At the time of writing, the Texas law doesn't list an ordinary car or pickup stopped on the shoulder with its hazards on. That driver isn't protected the same way, even though moving over for them is still the safe and decent thing to do.
If you're the one stopped, don't count on passing traffic giving you room. Stay out of the space between your car and the lanes.
Doing it well on DFW freeways
On busy roads like I-35E, I-635 or I-30, traffic often stays fast even when it's heavy, and shoulders can be narrow in places. A driver who notices flashing lights at the last second has almost no margin. Start looking for a gap as soon as you see lights ahead, signal early, and if the next lane is full, start slowing right away instead of braking hard at the scene.
Penalties, in general terms
Breaking the law is a traffic offense that can bring a fine. Penalties get heavier when a violation causes property damage, and a violation that injures someone can be charged as a more serious offense. Repeat violations are treated more harshly too.