The Sugar Land Police Department will participate in a regional enforcement initiative from now through Feb. 20 intended to protect emergency workers on area highways.

A state law passed in 2003 requires drivers nearing stopped emergency vehicles with lights activated to either slow down or change lanes, but many drivers either don’t know or don’t care.

“You can literally feel the vibration and the wind across your back as vehicles just inches away pass at 60 and 70 mph,” said Sugar Land Police Capt. Eric Robins. “We accept the inherent risks of our profession, but this is one that can be easily avoided.”

SB 193 requires drivers nearing a stopped emergency vehicle that has lights activated to:

vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, if the highway has two or more lanes traveling the direction of the emergency vehicle; or slow to a speed not more than 20 miles per hour (mph) less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 mph or more; or Slow to a speed not more than 5 mph when the posted speed limit is less than 25 mph.

A violation of the “Move Over” law is punishable by a maximum fine of $200. If the violation results in property damage, the maximum fine increases to $500. If the violation results in bodily injury, the offense is enhanced to a Class B misdemeanor.