North Austin News

When considering dangerous jobs, professions such as police officers, firefighters, loggers, or deep-sea fishermen often come to mind. However, another occupation that is considered hazardous is waste and recycling collection work, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The primary danger in this job stems from collisions. Waste and recycling workers are at risk of being struck by careless drivers while performing their duties around their vehicles. Until recently, these incidents occurred without specific legal protections for the workers involved. This changed with the introduction of a 2019 law designed to protect these workers similarly to how laws protect first responders and construction workers.

The legislation is part of the "Slow Down to Get Around" national safety campaign, which aims to remind drivers to exercise caution when passing waste and recycling collection vehicles. The law mandates that drivers either move over or slow down when approaching these vehicles. Over 30 states have adopted this regulation to enhance worker safety.

Texas joined this initiative in 2019 by amending §545.157 of the Texas Transportation Code. According to this amendment, drivers must reduce their speed to 20 mph (or lower if the existing speed limit is already low) when approaching an active waste or recycling vehicle in Texas. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in a misdemeanor charge and a fine of $500 or more.

To ensure the safety of vehicle operators at Austin Resource Recovery, it is crucial for all drivers to adhere to these guidelines and slow down when near waste and recycling collection vehicles.