TITLE: Relating to vehicles passing a highway construction worker; providing a penalty.

SUMMARY: Relating to vehicles passing a highway construction worker; providing a penalty.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to vehicles passing a highway construction worker; providing a penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 545.157, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 545.157. PASSING AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE,TOW TRUCK, OR CONSTRUCTION WORKER.SECTION 2. Section 545.157(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) On approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702, [or] a stationary tow truck using equipment authorized by Section 547.305(d), or a construction worker working on a highway construction project, an operator, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall: (1) vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle,[or] tow truck,or construction worker when driving on a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle,[or] tow truck,or construction worker;or (2) slow to a speed not to exceed: (A) 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or more; or (B) five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is less than 25 miles per hour. SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.