WHAT IS THE “MOVE OVER/SLOW DOWN” LAW?

TEXAS WHICH CHILD SAFETY SEAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR MY KID? ROAD TIPS WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I’VE BEEN IN A CRASH?

2019 EDITION CAN I BE TICKETED FOR PASSING A SCHOOL BUS?

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©2019 Texas Department of Transportation Share the Road. Texas Department of Transportation L K TWICE for motorcycles

GIVE TRUCKS SPACE TEXAS ROAD TIPS

Laws change. What you thought you knew about driving on Texas roads and highways may not be so. That’s where the Texas Road Tips Handbook can be a lifesaver. It’s compact. It’s easy to use. It tells you what you need to know about driving, biking, and walking in Texas. Review it now, and keep it in your glove box for future reference.

Aggressive Driving ...... 2 Collisions ...... 4 Distracted Driving ...... 6 Driving While Intoxicated ...... 8 Highway Driving ...... 10 Motorcycles and Bicycles ...... 12 Pedestrians and School Zones ...... 14 Safety Seats and Seat Belts ...... 16 Underage Drinking ...... 18 Violations and Cautions ...... 20 Work Zones and Road Signs ...... 22

After a Crash ...... 24

— 1 — AGGRESSIVE DRIVING TEXAS ROAD TIPS

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage If you’ve ever been passed on the wrong side, tailgated, cut off, %!#& or hemmed in by another vehicle, then you’ve been the victim of an aggressive driver. Aggressive driving generally involves one or more traffic violations. Drivers can be fined up to $200 for each moving violation associated with aggressive driving and may spend time in jail.

When a traffic incident escalates into a more serious situation, that’s road rage. If road rage results in violence, it is a criminal offense.

Avoid Becoming an Aggressive Driver How to Avoid Danger First, be a cautious and considerate driver. Avoid creating • Keep your emotions in check. a situation that may provoke another motorist. Don’t take your frustrations out on other drivers. • Don’t tailgate or flash your lights at another motorist. • Traffic congestion is a • If you’re in the left lane and someone wants to pass, problem at some point move over and let the driver by. during the day almost • Use your horn sparingly. everywhere. Plan ahead Second, if you encounter an angry driver, don’t make and allow time for delays. matters worse by triggering a confrontation. • Focus on your own driving. Yelling, pounding on the • Avoid eye contact. steering wheel, and • Steer clear and give angry drivers plenty of room. honking your horn won’t • Don’t make inappropriate hand or facial gestures. get you where you want to go any faster. If none of this works and you’re concerned for your safety, pull off the road to a safe location and call 9-1-1.

— 2 — — 3 — COLLISIONS TEXAS ROAD TIPS

What to Do After a Crash When to Call Police-Always call the police when: First, check for injuries. If people are hurt, tend to them. Otherwise, move your vehicle out of the roadway to a An injury or fatality is involved. safer place where you can exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle identification numbers, license The vehicles cannot be moved. plate numbers, insurance information, and driver license information. Note the location of the crash and get the You suspect one of the drivers is intoxicated. names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses. If the vehicles cannot be moved, protect the scene by setting One of the drivers has no insurance. up flares or raising your hood. Take pictures with your phone if it’s safe to do so. One of the drivers leaves the scene. Common Causes of Crashes Most crashes in Texas are caused by speeding, driver inattention, failure to yield, driving under the influence of Here’s the Law alcohol, following too closely, and running red lights and stop signs. So what’s the best way to avoid a collision? If you’re in a collision and no one is hurt, it is not necessary to • Slow down and drive to conditions. wait for the police before moving • Avoid distractions and put your phone away. your vehicle. If you can drive the • Maintain a safe following distance. Auto Insurance vehicle, the law requires you to Texas law requires drivers • Look both ways before you enter an intersection. move it out of the flow of traffic. to have basic liability • Signal every turn and lane change. coverage. If you don’t have If there is damage to the vehicle, stop and exchange information. • Stop at red lights and stop signs. auto insurance, you can be fined up to $350—or more If someone is hurt, render aid and • Never drive after drinking alcohol or taking other drugs. if you’ve been ticketed notify law enforcement. If you hit an unattended vehicle, find the before for no insurance. driver or write your name and Be ready to show your address on a note that explains proof-of-insurance card if what happened. You also must an officer asks you for it, include the owner’s name and and inform your insurance address if the vehicle you’re company of a collision driving doesn’t belong to you. right away. — 4 — — 5 — DISTRACTED DRIVING TEXAS ROAD TIPS

One in five crashes involves distracted driving. Don’t Drive Under the What is Distracted Driving? Influence of Your Phone Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from driving. Distractions can include anything from texting • Give driving 100 percent of and talking on a cell phone to eating and drinking, putting on your attention. makeup, shaving, reading, programming a navigation system, • Put your phone away—or turn watching a video, and even adjusting the radio. it off—before you get behind the wheel. • Pull into a parking lot or off the road if you have to make a call Here’s the Law or text. • Tell friends, family, and Texting and driving is illegal in coworkers you won’t respond Texas. Using an electronic device to calls or texts when driving. to read, write, or send a message • Use a smartphone app that while driving is prohibited except sends auto-reply texts when in the case of an emergency or you’re behind the wheel. when the vehicle is stopped. A first offense is punishable by a On average, sending or reading fine of up to $99; any subsequent a text takes your eyes off the offense carries a fine of up to road for nearly five seconds. At $200. Some cities have distracted 55 mph, that’s like driving the driving ordinances that are length of an entire football field more restrictive. with your eyes closed. Texas law bans all cell phone use, including hands-free, while driving for those under 18 except in the case of emergencies.

— 6 — — 7 — DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED TEXAS ROAD TIPS

About every 20 minutes in WHO’SWHO’S DRIVINGDRIVING TONIGHT?TONIGHT? Texas, someone is hurt or killed IFIF YOU’VEYOU’VE BEENBEEN DRINKING,DRINKING, IT’SIT’S NOTNOT YOU.YOU. What Happens If You’re Stopped in a crash involving alcohol. If you’re stopped, be ready to show your driver license, proof of insurance, and registration. If you refuse a law enforcement How Much Is Too Much? officer’s request to take a blood or breath test to measure Impairment begins with the first drink. Your gender, body how much alcohol is in your system your driver license will be weight, the number of drinks you’ve consumed, and the automatically suspended for 180 days. Punishment for DWI amount of food you’ve eaten affect your body’s ability to varies depending on the number of convictions. handle alcohol. Women, younger people, and smaller people FIRST OFFENSE SECOND OFFENSE THIRD OFFENSE become impaired with smaller amounts of alcohol. Up to a $2,000 fine Up to a $4,000 fine A $10,000 fine How to Stay Out of Jail Up to 180 days in 1 month to a year in 2 to 10 years in prison Designate a driver, call a ride to pick you up, or spend the night jail upon conviction jail upon conviction Loss of driver license (mandatory 3 days Loss of driver license up to 2 years where you are. Bottom line: Do not get behind the wheel if in jail) you’ve been drinking. up to 2 years Loss of driver license up to a year

1 These fines do not include a state fine of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 Here’s the Law assessed upon sentencing to prison or jail time. DWI offenders may be required by the court to install and maintain an In Texas a person is legally ignition interlock device that prevents their vehicle from being operated if intoxicated and may be arrested they’ve been drinking. and charged with DWI with a .08 2 BAC (blood or breath alcohol DWI with a Child Passenger concentration). However, a You can be charged with child endangerment person is also intoxicated if for driving while intoxicated if you’re carrying impaired due to alcohol or passengers younger than 15 years old. DWI 3 other drugs regardless of BAC. with a child passenger is punishable with: Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you can be fined up to • Up to a $10,000 fine $500 for having an open alcohol Two or three beers • Up to 2 years in a state jail in one hour can container in a vehicle. make some people • Loss of driver license for 180 days legally intoxicated. — 8 — — 9 — HIGHWAY DRIVING TEXAS ROAD TIPS

Keep Right Move Over or Slow Down Law Watch for signs on Texas When you come upon an emergency vehicle, multi-lane highways that read TxDOT vehicle, tow truck, or utility vehicle with “Left Lane For Passing Only.” flashing blue or amber lights stopped on the These signs let you know side of the road, state law requires that you that the left lane on a divided move over a lane or reduce your speed to highway is not a “fast” lane. 20 mph below the posted speed limit. Failure to It is a passing lane. After you comply could cost you a fine of up to $2,000. pass someone, move back into the right lane once you’ve Sharing the Road with Trucks safely cleared the vehicle. Driving on roadways with trucks requires special attention. Be Impeding the flow of traffic by aware of a truck’s large blind spots: along each side, up to 20 feet continuing to drive in the left in front of the tractor, and up to 200 feet behind the trailer. lane is punishable by a fine of • Maintain a safe following distance from trucks. If you can’t up to $200. see the driver in the truck’s side mirror, the driver can’t see How Fast Is Too Fast? you or your vehicle. Many interstate and state highways in Texas have a maximum • When passing a truck, wait until you can see both truck speed of 75 mph. Speed limits on state and interstate headlights in your rearview mirror to move back into your highways can be set lower than the maximum, and drivers lane. Sometimes the driver will flash the truck’s lights to let should always be alert for changes in posted speed limits. you know it’s OK to move over. Observing speed limits means more than driving faster or • Pass a truck only when it’s legal and safe. slower than the posted speed: it means driving to conditions. When it’s raining or foggy, when ice is on the road, when Be careful about pulling in front of a moving traffic is heavy, or when road construction is ahead, adjust truck. Trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 your speed accordingly. pounds and can take twice as long to stop as a passenger car. If you move in front and brake suddenly, the truck may not have enough time to stop safely.

03 SEC 02 SEC 01 SEC

When the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object, you should be able to count at least three seconds before you pass the same object. Increase your following distance in bad weather. — 10 — — 11 — MOTORCYCLES AND BICYCLES TEXAS ROAD TIPS

Share the Road On average, a motorcyclist is Bicyclists have the same rights and killed on Texas roads every day. responsibilities on the road as drivers. Motorists and cyclists should obey all Riders, Use Your Head traffic laws, from stopping for red lights Here’s the Law Motorcyclists don’t have and stop signs to paying attention to the protection of seat belts, lane markers. All riders under the age of 21 are airbags, door beams, and Tips for Cyclists required to wear a helmet when other cushioning that cars • Wear a properly fitting helmet to operating a motorcycle. Riders and trucks have. 21 and over may ride without a reduce the chances of head helmet only if they have completed • Wear a helmet and other injury and death. In some places, a safety course or are covered by protective gear. local ordinances require it. an applicable insurance plan. • Turn on your headlights • Always check brakes and tires and ride defensively. before riding. Drivers, Look Twice • Avoid the center of the • Look twice for motorcycles, lane where debris and oil Make it easier Here’s the Law especially at intersections. build up. for drivers to • Always assume motorcycles • Ride at a safe speed, • Ride near the curb, traveling in are closer than they and never ride if you’ve see you. Wear the same direction as traffic. appear to be, and avoid been drinking. • Have a light on the front and a turning in front of an • Take a course to learn light colors red reflector or red light on the oncoming motorcycle. or reinforce safe riding back of your bike while riding • Use your turn signals and techniques. or reflective at night. check your blind spot before clothing changing lanes. • Use proper signals when you want to stop or turn. For a left • Don’t follow a motorcycle whenever you turn, stretch your left arm to too closely. ride a bicycle. the left; for a right turn, stretch • Give motorcyclists a your right arm to the right. full lane. For a stop, hold your left arm downward.

— 12 — — 13 — PEDESTRIANS AND SCHOOL ZONES TEXAS ROAD TIPS

Pedestrian Tips • Always cross at intersections or designated crosswalks. There are more than Look left, then right, then left again before proceeding. 12,000 schools in Texas. • Look for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked cars. Safety Tips for Children • When walking, put away electronic devices that take Teach your children to respect Here’s the Law your eyes and ears off the road. the school bus driver and follow these safety rules: Drivers must stop when a school bus is stopped and • Stand far back when waiting operating a visual signal— for the bus. either flashing red lights or a Make eye • Sit still on the bus so the stop sign—regardless of which contact with driver can concentrate on direction the driver is headed. drivers before the road. Drivers may proceed once the you cross bus has moved, the flashing • Look both ways when the street. lights stop flashing, or the bus crossing the street after driver signals it’s okay to pass. getting off the bus, and wait Approaching drivers do not for the driver to signal it’s have to stop if the roadway is safe to cross the street. separated by a physical barrier. Tips for Motorists Violations can lead to a fine of • Obey school zone speed limits up to $1,250 for a first offense. Reminders and put away your phone. Drivers are banned from • Keep an eye on children texting and using hand-held gathered at bus stops. electronic devices while • Stay on sidewalks and the • Avoid crossing the street at driving in active school zones. right-hand side of crosswalks. a place other than a marked • Watch for children who might Drivers are supposed to yield crosswalk or pedestrian dart across the street or the right of way to pedestrians tunnel or crossing. If you’re between vehicles. in crosswalks. hit while jaywalking, the • If the road has no sidewalk, driver may not be liable, and walk on the left side of the road his or her auto insurance may facing traffic. not cover your injuries.

— 14 — — 15 — SAFETY SEATS AND SEAT BELTS TEXAS ROAD TIPS

Buckle Up Buckle Your Child in the Proper Safety Seat for His Seat belts save lives. Wearing a or Her Height, Weight, and Age seat belt helps keep you from being ejected in a crash and Rear-Facing: Birth to 2 Years reduces the risk of dying in a Use a rear-facing seat until your baby crash by 45 percent for people reaches the weight limit or height limit of in the front seat of passenger the seat. Secure the chest clip even with cars. For those in pickup trucks, your baby’s armpits, and fasten harness seat belts reduce the risk of straps snugly against your baby’s body. dying by 60 percent. Forward-Facing: 2 Years and Older • Lap belts should fit snugly Use a forward-facing seat for as long as the across the hips, not over safety seat manufacturer recommends it. the stomach. Fasten harness straps snugly against your • Shoulder belts go over the BUCKLEBUCKLE UP.UP. child’s body, secure the chest clip even with shoulder and across the ALLALL RIDERS.RIDERS. your child’s armpits, and latch the tether center of the chest. DAYDAY ANDAND NIGHT.NIGHT. strap to the corresponding anchor if your • Never tuck a shoulder belt vehicle has one. under your arm or behind Booster your back. Children who have outgrown a forward- facing seat should use a belt-positioning Here’s the Law booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly, typically when they are taller Whether you’re the driver or a than 4 feet 9 inches and 8 to 12 years old. passenger in the front or back seat, every adult and every child Children under the age of 13 are in the vehicle must be properly always safest in the back seat. restrained. Children younger Visit SaveMeWithaSeat.org for more than 8 years old must be in a information about child safety seats and to child safety seat or booster seat find a free safety seat check in your area. unless they’re taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Fines range from $25 to $250 plus court costs.

— 16 — — 17 — UNDERAGE DRINKING TEXAS ROAD TIPS

Providing Alcohol For Parents Here’s the Law to Minors Be a good example: don’t Here’s the Law Furnishing or selling alcohol drink and drive. Remind your MINORS IN POSSESSION (MIP) to someone under 21 can children to call you if they’re UNDERAGE DRINKING AND DRIVING If you’re under 21, it means no lead to a $4,000 fine and ever in an uncomfortable alcohol—no attempt to buy it, up to a year in jail. A parent, situation. Teach them never If you’re under 21, it is illegal for none in your possession, none if legal guardian, or spouse to get in a car with someone you to drive with any detectable you’re driving. can provide alcohol to their who’s been drinking. amount of alcohol in your system. child or spouse as long Here’s what happens the first Here’s what happens the first as they are present when time you’re stopped for drinking time you’re found in possession the minor possesses or and driving: of alcohol. Any amount of beer, consumes it. wine, or liquor can trigger the • Up to a $500 fine penalties: • 60-day driver license suspension • 20 to 40 hours of community • Up to a $500 fine service and mandatory • 30-day driver alcohol-awareness classes license suspension • 8 to 12 hours of community If you’re 17 or over, here’s what service and mandatory happens if you’re stopped for alcohol-awareness classes drinking and driving with a blood or breath alcohol concentration A second or third offense can (BAC) of .08 or greater: lead to suspension of your driver license for 60 to 180 days. If • Up to a $2,000 fine you’re 17 or older, you also can ZEROZERO • Up to 180 days in jail upon be fined as much as $2,000 or conviction (mandatory 3 days go to jail for up to 180 days for TOLERANCETOLERANCE in jail) a third offense. means • Loss of driver license for up to a year

Get caught drinking and driving a second or third time, and the ZEROZERO penalties increase. ALCOHOLALCOHOL

— 18 — — 19 — VIOLATIONS AND CAUTIONS TEXAS ROAD TIPS

Drowsy Driving Traveling long distances or late at night can put drivers at risk In a collision with a train, you are 40 times more likely to be of falling asleep behind the wheel. If your eyes close or go out killed than if you were in a collision with another vehicle. of focus, you can’t stop yawning, your thoughts wander, or you’re drifting between lanes, wake up: you’re a “drowsy driver.”

Here are some tips for staying alert on the road: Railroad Crossings Texas law requires motorists to yield the right of way to trains. It is also against the law to cross tracks if a train is visible or Get plenty of rest to drive around gates that have been lowered at a railroad before trips. crossing. If the gates are down and no train is coming, the road is closed.

• Reduce speed when approaching crossings, look Stop to get out of your vehicle both ways, and listen for the sound of a train. and stretch your legs every • If red lights are flashing or if crossing arms have two hours. Rest for 15 to 20 been lowered, stop. minutes during each stop. • Never stop on tracks. A train going 50 mph needs at least a mile and a half to stop. • Be sure all tracks are clear before crossing. There may be more than one set. Avoid driving between Turn Around, Don’t Drown midnight and 6 a.m. Flash flooding is the number one cause of weather-related deaths in Texas. As little as six inches of water can float some vehicles. Avoid flooded roads, streets, and low areas.

• Never try to walk, swim, or drive through swift water. Don’t drink and drive—even • If your vehicle stalls in deep water, leave it and move to small amounts of alcohol higher ground if you can do so safely. can impair your judgment and your reaction time. • Obey warning signs. Do not drive around barriers blocking a low-water crossing. Penalties can include a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail. — 20 — — 21 — WORK ZONES AND ROAD SIGNS TEXAS ROAD TIPS

Road Signs At any given time, there Travel along any Texas street or highway and you will see all are as many as 3,000 active sorts of road signs. In addition to the posted message, every sign’s color and shape tells you something about what’s ahead. work zones in Texas. WARNING SIGNS Caution: Road Work Ahead Unexpected conditions The leading causes of work zone crashes are failure to control and changes speed and driver inattention. Be extra cautious and keep the Yellow; usually diamonds, following tips in mind when driving through work zones: rectangles, or circles

• Slow down and always WORK ZONE SIGNS Here’s the Law follow posted work zone Road work speed limits. Orange or white; State law requires you to obey • Pay attention, as workers all signs in work zones. Fines diamonds or rectangles and heavy equipment may for moving violations in road be only a few feet from construction or maintenance REGULATORY SIGNS passing vehicles. work zones marked with signs Traffic laws double when workers are present • Don’t tailgate. Red, black, and white or black and can be as much as $2,000. • Stay alert, minimize and white; usually triangles, distractions, and put the octagons, or vertical rectangles phone away. SIGNS THAT GUIDE • Obey road crew flaggers. Routes, destinations, or other • Expect the unexpected. points of interest Delays from highway Green, blue, or brown; usually construction can be horizontal rectangles frustrating, but it only takes a few extra minutes to slow SCHOOL ZONE SIGNS down for a work zone. Alert that adults and children may be crossing road Yellow or green; usually pentagons or rectangles

— 22 — — 23 — AFTER A CRASH

Refer to this form if you’re in a collision, and exchange this information with other drivers. Be sure to get witness information, too.

______Date and time of crash ______Location of crash (address or cross streets, county)

Driver Information Witness Information Get this information for all Get this information for all drivers involved. If the driver witnesses involved, including doesn’t own the vehicle, get passengers.

the owner’s information. ______Name Name ______Address Address ______Phone numbers Phone numbers ______Name Driver license number, state ______Address License plate number, state ______Phone numbers Vehicle identification number (VIN) ______Description of Crash Vehicle make, model, year Write a brief description of ______what happened while the Insurance policy number details are still ______fresh in your Insurance company name mind. Take ______pictures with Insurance company address your phone if it ______Insurance company phone number is safe to do so.

— 24 — Safety Rest Areas and TEXAS Travel Information Centers

KEY Rest Area

Travel Information Center

Exit milepost (on interstate highways only) Same milepost on both sides of the highway if only one appears next to a pair of facilities HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS AND LINKS

9-1-1 EMERGENCY: 9-1-1 Call to report life-threatening situations such as a roadside emergency, highway crash, or suspected intoxicated driver. Be ready to give your phone number and location. 1-800-525-5555 Texas Department Of Public Safety or *DPS (*377) Stranded Motorist Hotline on a mobile phone Call for non-emergency roadside assistance; answered 24 hours a day by a live operator. 1-800-252-8255 Safe Riders dshs.texas.gov/saferiders Give Yourself a Break Find helpful information about child safety seats. With more than 80,000 miles of highways, you’ll 1-800-452-9292 Texas Travel Information Center need a break if you find yourself driving across (TxDOT) Texas. Take advantage of the state’s 90-plus Safety Get travel information, professional trip- Rest Areas and Travel Information Centers. planning assistance, and highway condition information from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Automated road condition information is TxDOT has updated many of the Safety Rest Areas available 24 hours a day. to include local, historical, or regional themes and DriveTexas.org provide a safe experience for Texas travelers. At Get up-to-date information about highway conditions, including road many stops you can get current information on closures and construction activity. highway conditions, learn about local attractions, and find picnic tables, play areas, and other accommodations. Travel Information Centers are staffed by professional travel counselors and most feature free Wi-Fi.

To locate a Safety Rest Area or Travel Information Center, visit txdot.gov.

See map on inner panel