Just another example of lawmakers not figuring in the
"abuse factor" when writing legislation.

Just like the well-intended seatbelt laws, sounds like this has
also quickly become nothing more than a cash cow.

 

The state of Texas needs the money, they are just too proud to ask for donations, so they create great new laws.

 

My take on the law is that it was over due. However, I think the lawmakers should have went a step further, and required any LEO and the person he's pulling over, to exit at the next possible exit. They can take care of their business off of the Highway. I for one will not for any reason stop on the Highway when faced with being pulled over. The LEO will have to follow me to the next exit. It's not worth my life or his to get a friggin ticket for some b/s crime I commited on the Highway!

Now as far as these speed traps go in Texas (Arlington being among the worst) I think they are crap. People in Texas don't know how to drive as it is. Let alone the cops making it worse with all the blasted speed traps. On an 8 lane road there is a slim chance you can speed without driving like an idiot because the idiots here drive the same speed no matter what lane their in. I mean come on people...Slower traffic to the right! But not in Texas, slow traffic gets in every lane possible.

 

Agreed that it just doesn't seem right for the LEO's to use the law to disguise a "trap", when it was intended to protect them.
I would consider this a lesson learned and take the defensive driving course.

 

* Sheds sympathy tear *

 

We have law here in FLA also, makes sense, and seince we have been towing big race rigs forever we always move over even if it is a semi or car on the shoulder. Common sense & safety. We had some drunk idiot run over a Road Ranger (interstate help vehicle) here in Tampa while he was helping a broke-down motorist. Change lanes or slow down. Not very hard to do.

 

It's not that hard to slow down. If I see a vehicle/people on the side of the highway I typically slow down or change lines out of simple courtesy not to 'buzz' them.

This just makes it official...

Now, there were reports here in Dallas of 'trapping' for this, one guy on the shoulder doing nothing and another pulling people over, and that irritates me...but the intent of the law is a good one.

 

It is unlawful and against most department policies to use this as a "speed trap". I, personally, would never use this for a trap. I have never even stopped a car for that particular violation. (There are a few bad apples in every crowd, even cops)

 

I'm sure you haven't, and cops are people, therefore not perfect. Some might have more scruples than others.

Having said that, it is almost universally acknowledged that there are ticket quotas pushed onto officers whether they like it or not....and like everyone else they have bosses to please.

NO ONE wants any harm to come to anyone on the side of the road.

I have said before "people that say they don't like police or lawyers change their tune when they NEED one."

 

I think it's a good law. I've witnessed first hand someone getting hit by a minivan, and if you all had seen this you would be in favor of the law too.

Of course trapping for this is BS, and as mentioned before, it seems a little too vague. At what distance do you have to slow down or change lanes? At what distance can you change back or speed up? There is too much room for interpretation there.

 

I have no problem with this law. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe its
right to be pulled over out of a pack of cars because your in a vette!
But I'll be the first to admit I am anything but guiltless when it comes to
always obeying speed limits, but when I come up on a LEO with their siren
lights on, I slow down and move away from their vehicle. And it doesnt
matter if its a LEO or a HW department vehicle. The last thing I want to
do is injure someone who is just doing their job which happens to be on
the highway.

 

how about a list? so we all know.

 

I don't know any other word for this law besides just plain "stupid". Yes, creating laws to protect LEO's lives is a respectable goal, but it shouldn't be done with a total lack of common sense. I imagine this virtually unknown law will not save 1 LEO's life but will account for 1000's of tickets being written. WTG lawmakers!

PS The next time you are changing tires on the side of the road you can revel in the fact that Texas legislators thought you're life is worth less than a LEO's ...

 

Iowa has the same law. Before it went into affect, it was posted in the newspapers. At least some of the people found out about it before being pulled over.

It is a safety thing and I think it works without tpp much problem.

have a safe day.

Beebs

 

Most states have adopted similar laws, and it's sole intent was for safety. I have seen several close calls, and have nearly been hit myself more times than I can count. Most of the laws are written to contain a caveat "to change lanes if it can be done with safety".

A few months ago, a Missouri State Trooper was burned alive when a pickup truck left the road and hit his patrol car. He was young with two small children.

Those (so called LEO's) that would use (abuse) this law and take it out of the context of it's intent should be castrated. In this case I fully support retroactive abortion. Just my $.02

 

This is exactly my point, this law is near useless ... Missouri has had a "move over" law in effect since August of 2003. This law did not save this trooper and I doubt it will save any others in the future.

My reasoning exactly. Requiring a motorist to pull off the highway is a much better method of reducing the risk of accidents and there is no ambiguity in the law that can be exploited by disreputable LEO's.

 

The same type of law is on the books in most states. In addition, the law pertains to almost any type of emergency vehicle such as ambulances, tow trucks as well as police. In TN for example:

(b) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of flashing lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:
(1) Proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or
(2) Proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
(c) Upon approaching a stationary recovery vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of authorized flashing lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:
(1) Proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary recovery vehicle or the highway maintenance vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or
(2) Proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
(d) For the purpose of this section unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Highway maintenance vehicle" means a vehicle used for the maintenance of highways and roadways in this state and is:
(A) Owned or operated by the department of transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state; or,

(B) Owned or operated by a contractor under contract with the department of transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state;
(2) "Recovery vehicle" means a truck that is specifically designed for towing a disabled vehicle or a combination of vehicles.
(e) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00).

 

Several months ago Tennessee enacted the "move to the right law". Makes sense to me to get in the right hand lane if a LEO is over on the left.

 

Houston will do this from time to time too. Been seeing it a few times myself. Traffic enforcement guy stops someone on speed and another enforcement unit will pull over about 50-75 yards beyond him. Heh, heh. As long as you move over he'll let you continue on your way. If you don't, you better slow down! It ain't just in Arlington.

As far as the notion that it doesn't prevent anything.....puhleeez. The laws aginst speeding doesn't stop all speeders either do they? Well I guess that's another one they should take off the books too. Right?