WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — A North Texas police officer's close call with a passing motorist during a traffic stop happens far too often according to police.
Last month, just seconds after a White Settlement Patrolman got back into his cruiser during a traffic stop, a driver sideswiped his squad car, knocked off the driver's side rearview mirror, and kept going.
The officer did not get injured, but it left him shaken up.
The close call happened on Aug. 3 on Interstate 30 near the Cherry St. exit as White Settlement Police officers worked traffic safety. The officer had just pulled over a driver for speeding. Part of the training for traffic stops includes approaching the stopped vehicle on the shoulder side of the car whenever possible, especially in heavy traffic areas. However, that's not always the safest thing to do depending on the vehicle type, visibility, number of occupants, and other factors, so officers are trained to use discretion.
White Settlement Police Officer Laura Gonzalez works with the officer who had the close call. After serving in the military, Gonzalez joined the department to continue her desire to be a public servant. She works in traffic safety as well and knows the dangers they face.
"It's very nerve-wracking," said Officer Laura Gonzalez, "It was a very close call. The officer was very lucky that it was only the vehicle that was damaged because it could have been a lot worse."
White Settlement PD is part of an inter-local agreement to work on traffic safety with other police departments. The deal allows them to work outside of their regular city-limit jurisdiction and provide mutual aid when needed during emergencies. But police officers aren't the only ones in danger when it comes to safety on the side of the road.
"We need our first responders, we need our tow truck drivers, anybody that's working TxDOT, we need them to be safe," Chief Chris Cook said.
The Texas Move Over or Slow Down law requires drivers to change lanes or slow 20 miles under the speed limit near stopped emergency vehicles. WFAA shadowed officers doing traffic safety patrols. Our crews witnessed many drivers move over because of their flashing lights, but dash cam video shows the driver in a small white sedan who failed to move over and never slowed down.
In the Aug. 3 sideswipe incident, police say the driver explained he wasn't paying attention. Officer Gonzalez hopes more people will learn about the mover over, slow down law, like the driver she stopped.
"He did not know about it, so I did educate him," Officer Laura Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez believes if more drivers are educated on moving over or slowing down it could help stop close calls and even save lives. The Texas Department of Transportation has more information on the Move Over or Slow Down law on its website.