06/12/2026
Last night on I-10, one of our fire trucks was struck while crews were working an incident. Thankfully, no first responders or patients from the original incident were injured. The driver of the vehicle was injured and transported for medical care. We are keeping them in our thoughts and wishing them a full recovery.
Move Over. It Saves Lives.
Every day, Texas first responders step out of their trucks and onto one of the most dangerous places to work: the shoulder of the highway.
Texas Move Over Law
If you see flashing lights on the side of the road, Texas law requires you to:
• Move over one lane if it is safe to do so
• Slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit if you cannot safely change lanes
It is not just a ticket. It can be the difference between someone going home or not.
The risk is real.
From 2013 to 2023, more than 50 first responders were struck and killed nationwide each year while working roadway incidents. In Texas, we have lost troopers, firefighters, EMTs, and tow operators, all hit by drivers who did not slow down or move over.
At 70 mph, a vehicle travels about 103 feet per second. That leaves almost no time to react if crews are standing near the roadway.
Why we park the way we park
When you pass a crash scene and see a fire truck blocking lanes at an angle, that is intentional. We call it a “block.”
• Angle of protection: The truck is positioned to take the hit instead of our firefighters, medics, law enforcement officers, and patients working behind it
• Buffer space: We leave room between the truck and the incident so crews have a safer area to work
• Upstream warning: Those big trucks with flashing lights give drivers time to see us, merge, and slow down
We would rather replace a $1 million fire truck than lose a firefighter, medic, law enforcement officer, tow operator, or member of the public. But we would prefer to do neither.
The next time you see flashing lights ahead, slow down, move over, and stay alert.
Our families thank you. So do yours.
Please share to help keep our crews safe.
