RIO GRANDE CITY – Every time he stops on Highway 83 in Starr County, tow truck driver Alfredo Alvarado says there's at least someone who doesn't respect the law around his flashing lights.

"Once the cops leave, or the cops are not there, these people don't pay attention," he said. "They don't care."

Alvarado wants drivers to remember tow trucks are protected under the state's Move Over or Slow Down law. The law requires drivers who pass several kinds of emergency vehicles to move to another lane or slow to less than 20 miles an hour.

"Anybody that's got flashing lights," said Alvarado. "Police officers, ambulance, fire department, TxDOT employees and tow truck drivers."

The Texas Department of Public Safety recently announced increased efforts to penalize drivers who do not follow the law.

One night, Alvarado was delivering fuel for a stranded driver off Highway 281. He said he heard the sound of a car on rumble strips behind him and turned to see a truck headed his way.

"I have to drop the gas jug and then just run out of the way," he said.

He's a father of three who was nearly killed.

"I guess most of them don't know about the move over law," he added.