Cop Talk - Please Stop!
[ No Comments ] Posted on 07.14.08 under General Texas Defensive Driving
Yes, our community seems to have a lot of stop signs but let’s think about why.
Stop signs were installed to provide safety not only for vehicles but pedestrians at our intersections. These are generally based on the traffic flow of intersecting streets. The Texas Transportation Code (§544.010) “Stop signs and yield signs” states:
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Unless directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic control signal, the operator of a vehicle or streetcar approaching an intersection with a stop sign shall stop as provided by Subsection (c).
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If safety requires, the operator of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall stop as provided by Subsection (c)
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An operator required to stop by this section shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. In the absence of a crosswalk, the operator shall stop at a clearly marked stop line. In the absence of a stop line, the operator shall stop at the place nearest the intersecting roadway where the operator has a full view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.
To be considered as making a legal stop, the operator of a vehicle must cease all forward movement. A good indicator of this is when the vehicle wheels have completely stop rolling. We have all heard of the “California” rolling stop. This describes a vehicle which slows at the stop sign and slowly rolls on through the intersection. Well, that might work in California but it won’t pass muster here!
Please remember our children, walkers and joggers. Be a courteous and safe driver while operating your vehicle in our community.
Slow Down or Change Lanes for Stopped Emergency Vehicles on Texas Roadwasy
[ No Comments ] Posted on 07.09.08 under General Texas Defensive Driving
SB 193 requires drivers on Texas roads nearing stopped emergency vehicles-with lights activated -to either slow down or change lanes.
The Texas law states a driver must either vacate the lane closest to the stopped emergency vehicle if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction or slow down 20 miles per hour below the speed limit. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph the driver must slow down to 5 mph.)
Emergency vehicles include police, emergency medical service and fire vehicles.
A violation is punishable by a maximum fine of $200. If the violation results in property damage, the maximum fine increases to $500. If the violation results in bodily injury, the offense is enhanced to a Class B misdemeanor.
The new law was passed in the last regular session of the Texas Legislature and went into effect back in Sept. 1, 2003.
Texas Car Seat Law clarified
[ No Comments ] Posted on 07.09.08 under General Texas Defensive Driving
Public Information Office
(512) 424-2080
September 7, 2005
New Car Seat Law Clarified
DPS Urges Maximum Protection
There has been some confusion about a new state law that requires that all children younger than 5 years of age and less than 36 inches tall to be in a child safety seat system in the State of Texas. (”Child safety seat system” includes car seats and booster seats, including high-back and backless boosters.)
“Parents need to remember the law sets forth minimum safety standards. In fact, experts recommend that most children need to continue in booster seats until they reach around 4 feet, 9 inches tall,” said Col. Thomas Davis Jr., director of DPS. “We hope parents will not just look at the legal requirements, but also consider what is safest for their children.”
Because of the changes in the wording of the law (HB183), the following legal interpretation should be applied:
- Once the child reaches five years old, they are not legally required to be in a child safety seat system.
- If they are 36 inches or taller, again, they are not legally required to be in a child safety seat system.
- However, if the child is both less than five years old and less than 36 inches in height, they are legally required to be in a car seat or booster seat.
The law also requires that safety seats be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, including height and weight guidelines.
A child in a poorly-fitting seat belt usually slumps down, allowing the seat belt to ride up into their abdomen or neck, which can cause severe injuries to the child’s neck and internal organs during a car crash.
To know when a child can wear a seat belt properly without a booster seat, use this simple test:
Have your child sit on the vehicle seat, sitting all the way back, with their back straight against the back of the seat, and buckle the lap/shoulder belt over them.
1. Do their legs bend naturally at the knees over the edge of the seat?
2. Does the lap portion of the belt fit over the top of their thighs?
3. Does the shoulder portion of the belt fit across the center of their chest?
If the answer to any of these three questions is no, the child may be better protected in a booster seat.
Although there is no law that prevents youngsters from sitting in the front seat of a vehicle, the safest place for a child in a car is in a rear seat, properly buckled into a child safety seat or a booster seat.
Air bags don’t replace child safety seats and may increase the risk of serious injury to children. Children younger than 13 should never ride in the front seats of vehicles with active passenger air bags.
For more information on proper child seat installation and use, please see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/safetycheck/TypeSeats/.
Information for the News Media
Public Information Office
(512) 424-2080
New traffic, Texas criminal laws set into effect back in September 1 2005
[ No Comments ] Posted on 07.09.08 under General Texas Defensive Driving
Texas Statutes, including the Transportation Code
Notable traffic and criminal Texas laws that go into effect on September 1 (unless noted otherwise) include the following:
SB 1257 prohibits use of wireless communications devices (including cell phones) for the first six months after teenagers get their driver licenses. The bill also prohibits passenger bus drivers transporting minors from using wireless communications devices, except in emergencies or when the bus is stopped.
HB 51 requires an ignition interlock device if a driver’s blood alcohol level is determined to be .15 or more (upon conviction).
HB 1357 creates a six-month Texas driver license (DL) suspension for a person convicted of providing alcohol to a minor (one year for second offense), and increases the DL suspension to one year for minors who are convicted of a second alcohol offense.
makes it a Class B misdemeanor if a person drives around a barricade where a warning sign or barricade has been placed because water is over any portion of a road, street or highway. It also specifically creates a traffic violation for driving around a barricade put in the roadway because of dangerous conditions.
HB 183 states that all children younger than 5 years of age (old law was younger than 4) and less than 36 inches tall are required to be in a child safety seat system. It also classifies safety seat infractions as moving violations for the first time.
SB 1005 provides that if a driver younger than 25 years of age commits a traffic offense classified as a moving violation in the state of Texas, the judge must require the driver to complete a driving safety course—and, if the driver holds a provisional driver license (under 18 years of age), submit to a DPS road test. Failure by the driver to meet this requirement will result in a final conviction for that traffic offense.
HB 1484 specifies that a person commits a traffic offense if they are involved in a crash on the main lane, ramp, shoulder, median or adjacent area of a freeway and don’t move their vehicle to an area that minimizes interference with freeway traffic (assuming the vehicle is drivable).
HB 1596 clarifies the definition of neighborhood electric vehicles and motor assisted scooters and allows municipalities to regulate the use of motor assisted scooters on roadways and sidewalks.
SB 1257 disqualifies a person from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the person’s driving is determined to constitute an imminent hazard.
HB 754 increases the maximum fine to $500 for violating laws related to transporting loose material—and requires all commercial motor vehicles transporting aggregates or refuse to completely cover the load-carrying compartment.
SB 1258 specifies that an original commercial driver license or commercial driver learner’s permit expires in five years instead of six years.
HB 87 allows cities to lower residential speed limits from 30 mph to 25 mph in certain instances. This bill took effect immediately.
HB 2257 allows the TxDOT commission to establish a daytime speed limit of 80 miles per hour on I-10 or I-20 in Crockett, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kerr, Kimble, Pecos, Reeves, Sutton or Ward counties. If established, this speed does not apply to truck tractors, trailers, semi trailers, or trucks, other than light trucks and light trucks pulling a trailer. This bill took effect immediately.
SB 1670 requires the Department of Insurance, in conjunction with TxDOT and other agencies, to establish a verification program for vehicle insurance in order to try and reduce the number of uninsured drivers.
HB 120 creates an organ donor education and registry program. Eventually, Texans will be able to indicate their wish to become an organ donor when they are issued or renew their driver license or ID card.
New traffic, criminal Texas laws that went into effect September 1 2007
[ No Comments ] Posted on 07.09.08 under General Texas Defensive Driving
Notable traffic and criminal laws that go into effect on September 1 in Texas (unless noted otherwise)
include the following:
HB 84, known as Katie’s Law, requires drivers in Texas 85 years of age and above to pass a vision test to
have their driver license renewed. Licenses will be valid for two years instead of six. Drivers age
79 and older are not allowed to renew their driver licenses electronically.
HB 586 prohibits a driver who is issued a speeding ticket and found guilty of driving at a speed
of 95 miles per hour or higher from taking a Texas driving safety class to dismiss the ticket.
SB 369 prohibits the use of blurring or reflective matter on a license plate that significantly
impairs the readability of the state name and license plate numbers and letters; prohibits the use
of material or an apparatus that alters or obscures one-half or more of the state name; and
prohibits using material that obscures the license plate number or plate color.
SB 153 makes it an offense for the accompanying licensed passenger of a driver with a learner’s
permit to sleep, be intoxicated or to engage in any activity that prevents the passenger from
observing and responding to the actions of the driver of the vehicle.
HB 323 requires all new buses purchased by a school district on or after September 1, 2010 to be
equipped with lap/shoulder seatbelts. All buses contracted for use by a school district on or after
September 1, 2011 must be equipped with lap/shoulder seatbelts. (The bill’s provisions will not
take effect unless the legislature appropriates the necessary funds to school districts to cover the
expenses of such changes.)
[ No Comments ] Posted on 07.09.08 under General Texas Defensive Driving
One Sunday, sitting on the side of the Texas highway waiting to catch speeding drivers, a State Police Officer sees a car puttering along at 22 MPH.
He thinks to himself, “This driver is just as
dangerous as a speeder!” So he turns on his
lights and pulls the driver over.
Approaching the car, he notices that there are five old ladies - two in the front seat and three in the back - wide eyed and white as ghosts. The driver, obviously confused, says to him, “Officer, I don’t understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! I always go exactly the speed limit. What seems to be the problem?”
“Ma’am,” the officer replies, “you weren’t speeding, but you should know that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other drivers.”
“Slower than the speed limit? No sir, I was doing the speed limit exactly! Twenty-two miles an hour!” the old woman says a bit proudly.
The State Police officer, trying to contain a chuckle explains to her that “22″ was the route number, not the speed limit.
A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error.
“But before I let you go, Ma’am, I have to ask . . . Is everyone in this car OK? These women seem awfully shaken and they haven’t muttered a single peep this whole time,” the officer asks with concern.
“Oh, they’ll be all right in a minute officer. We just got off Route 119.”
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