Two roadside close calls involving law enforcement in Kaufman County and Dallas are renewing attention on what Texas drivers must do around stopped roadside vehicles.
NBC 5 reports that the separate incidents happened July 5 in Kaufman County and July 8 in Dallas. Kaufman County shared body-camera footage showing a vehicle strike a Forney police patrol car while officers worked a scene, according to the station. NBC 5 reported that the Dallas officer involved in the other incident was released from the hospital and doing well.
The rule for approaching drivers
TxDOT says drivers approaching specified roadside vehicles with activated overhead lights must move over one lane. If they cannot safely change lanes, they must slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
There is a separate instruction on low-speed roads: When the posted limit is 25 mph or less and a driver cannot safely move over, TxDOT says to reduce speed to 5 mph.
More vehicles are now covered
TxDOT says the covered categories expanded Sept. 1, 2025, to include vehicles driven by animal-control officers and parking-enforcement employees. Drivers should therefore watch for more than traditional law-enforcement vehicles when approaching a roadside scene with activated overhead lights.
Potential penalties
TxDOT says a first offense can bring a fine of up to $1,250. A violation that causes serious injury may carry jail time and a fine of up to $4,000.
The practical sequence is simple: identify the lighted roadside vehicle, move over one lane when it is safe, and otherwise make the required speed reduction.
