CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi Police Department is asking for drivers to pay attention especially when first responders are on our city streets.
It's the law and drivers must slow down and move over.
If you don't follow the law, not only could you get a ticket, you could create a dangerous situation for first responders and other drivers.
Officers earlier say this can affect many people who are out in the field working.
The law is to protect police officers, firefighters, TxDOT workers and many may not realize, towing truck operators as well.
“I had to throw myself under a trailer because the truck got too close and missed me,” says Texas Wrecker Service worker Ruben Soliz.
Many truck drivers have experienced and seen first hand the dangers of when drivers do not follow the slowdown and move over law.
“On a daily basis this is what we face as we as an industry go out to perform a service for the general public we have to be careful of what other drivers coming up to us,” says truck operator Daniel Puckett.
Daniel Puckett says he was working on the field but a car decided to travel around a barricade and ended up hitting him.
Police say tow truck companies play a vital role in assisting them in emergencies.
When drivers do not slow down or move over that puts these workers in harm's way.
“And that is all we are asking because when they are up there they are working with us and they are working part of the incident management response and they need to be protected just like we do,” says Senior Officer Karl Wright.
Truck drivers also say that they see this industry as a brotherhood.
Authorities share that if a driver sees emergency lights you must move over or if not, slow down at least twenty miles below the speed limit.
“It’s not worth it, not worth it, what if one of your family members were on that side of the road,” says truck driver Chase Norvell with Apollo Towing.
Failing to follow this law can lead to a fine of up to $2,000.