78R3123 MTB-F

By:  Barrientos                                                   S.B. No. 193



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to vehicles passing certain stationary emergency vehicles 
on a highway; providing a penalty.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 545.157 to read as follows:
	Sec. 545.157.  PASSING AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE.  (a)  
On approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using 
visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 and 
547.702, an operator shall:
		(1)  if possible to do so safely under the traffic 
conditions, vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle when 
driving on a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the 
direction of the emergency vehicle; or
		(2)  reduce speed and maintain a safe speed for road 
conditions if vacating a lane would be impossible or unsafe.
	(b)  A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor if 
the violation results in bodily injury or property damage.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.