National Traffic Incident Awareness Week Hits Killeen

Don't get caught up with lights flashing behind you this week. Get ready for National Traffic incident awareness week to protect yourself and others around you.

According to a press release from the Killeen Police Department, this Thursday officers will be conducting an operation called Move Over/Slow Down in Killeen. The operation is part of a week long program that will take place on I-14 to help inform the public about moving over or slowing down for Public Safety workers, tow truck operators, TXDOT personnel, and other protected persons who routinely work and respond to incidents on the highways and other roadways of the state.

With cars zooming around at high speeds, it's easy for an accident to occur, especially when workers are on the scene.

So what exactly should you do when you see a parked public safety vehicle with their lights flashing?

First, vacate the lane closest to the vehicle when driving on a highway with two or more  lanes traveling in the direction of the vehicle. The next thing you can do to help avoid an accident is slow down. If you're driving on the highway then you should drive 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. If you're driving in an area where the speed limit is 25 mph or less, than you should drive 5 mph.

Failure to move over or slow down could result in a misdemeanor ticket. Let's keep Texas roads safe and do our part to protect public workers.