Traffic laws are changing that hopefully will make our streets safer and curtail the would be NASCAR drivers all around us. Here they are:
Drunk driving: If a drunk driver causes a collision that results in a traumatic brain injury, he will automatically be charged with a felony. Further, police can get a warrant and force compliance with an alcohol test.
Emergency vehicles: A driver must reduce your speed to 20 mph below the speed limit or move over one lane when passing an emergency vehicle or a police car or tow truck stopped on the side of the road. This also applies to DPS and DMV crews.
Phones around schools: Texabs cannot talk on a cell phone (unless it is hands-free or it is an emergency call) on or near all school property, including parking lots and dropoff lanes. You can be fined up to $200.00 if you do.
Hit and runs: The penalty for leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is the same as that for intoxication manslaughter: 2-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Passing school buses: The fine for passing a school bus with flashing lights has been greatly raised to $500.00 to $1,250.00, and doubles if a person has two or more violations within five years. Some cities already have cameras that film drivers who violate the law and mail tickets.
Drivers licenses: Youths who need a hardship license and people who owe surcharges are affected.
Repayment for vehicle crashes: At fault drivers will have to pay a fee toward the repair of damage they cause to roadways and structures in an accident.
New drivers: Texans who get a hardship driver’s license will have to follow the same restrictions as other new drivers and can’t use a cellphone, drive between midnight and 5 a.m. or transport more than one passenger under 21 who isn’t a relative.
Air bags: A person who makes, sells, installs, or alters counterfeit air bags will serve up to two years in a state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
I hope you have a wonderful — and safe — Labor Day weekend.