Texas offers a unique driving experience with its sprawling highways and city roads. The state also enforces some uncommon traffic laws and regulations. For instance, on Texas roads, drivers do not have to stop at yellow lights. In the state, a yellow light means that the green light will shortly turn red follow.
Drivers running a yellow light in Texas will not get a ticket, but they might get a ticket if they drive faster to catch the yellow light. They also violate traffic law if the light turns red while they are driving through an intersection.
This is only one of the many rules of the road that must be followed when driving in Texas.
Road Rules
Other rules include the following:
- Right of way: Understanding the right of way when driving is crucial to prevent unnecessary collisions. Generally speaking, drivers must yield to oncoming traffic at intersections, vehicles turning left, and pedestrians in crosswalks.
If a school bus is on the road with flashing red lights, traffic in both directions must stop.
- Speed limits: The posted speed limits are strictly enforced in Texas. Any driver who exceeds these speed limits will be fined. They may even get their license suspended.
- Move-Over Law: Texas also enforces the move-over law. That means drivers approaching an emergency vehicle, tow truck, or TxDOT vehicle flashing emergency lights on a multi-lane highway must move over one lane. If they cannot change lanes, they must slow down to 2 mph below the speed limit.
- Seat belts: Drivers and passengers must always wear seat belts while a vehicle is in motion. Children under two must be fastened in a rear-facing infant car seat, children over two must be fastened in a front-facing child seat, and children between four and eight must sit in a booster seat.
Children over eight should wear seatbelts if they fit properly. Otherwise, they must stay in booster seats until they are big enough to wear seatbelts.
Traffic Signals and Other Rules
As it does everywhere, a red light means stop, while yellow lights indicate caution. Flashing red lights means drivers must come to a complete stop before proceeding through an intersection.
Moreover, in Texas, drivers must come to a complete stop at stop signs. Rolling stops are a violation.
Drivers on multi-lane highways must stay in the right lane. If they depart from the lane, they should pass another vehicle or make a left turn. Vehicles with two or three occupants have designated high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Solo drivers who use HOV lanes during restricted times will be fined.
Distracted Driving
Texas traffic laws include primary offenses. Texting while driving, which falls into the distracted driving category, is a primary offense. Drivers are also prohibited from talking on the phone while driving if they hold the phone.
Hands-free options are permitted if the driver is older than 18 and has held their license for over six months. New drivers cannot use cell phones while driving for the first six months except to call emergency services.
Driving Under the Influence
In Texas, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. This DUI offense carries severe penalties, including jail time, fines, and license suspension.
Also, drivers under the age of 21 found to have a detectable amount of alcohol in their system may be arrested for DUI.
Additional Regulations
Texas enforces reduced speed limits near schools during designated hours. This means drivers must exercise extra caution and watch out for students crossing the street.
It is also mandatory for drivers to yield right of way to all pedestrians in marked crosswalks.
Violating Traffic Laws In Texas
Texas stopped using its point system in 2019. But this does not mean that traffic violations go unnoticed. When drivers are caught violating traffic rules and regulations, it is added to their driving record.
Most traffic offenses are grouped into two categories: major and minor. For instance, failing to use a turn signal or wear a seatbelt is a minor offense. Driving under the influence or driving recklessly is a major offense that could lead to a misdemeanor or felony charge.
Most Common Traffic Violations
Some of the most common traffic violations in Texas include speeding, driving while intoxicated, ignoring traffic signals, and driving recklessly. Drivers also drive without a license or with a suspended license.
Drivers caught driving while intoxicated (for the first time) face a class B misdemeanor, which means fines of up to $2,000 and jail time. They may also have their license suspended for a year or have an ignition interlock device installed for three months.
If a driver is caught for the second time, the fine amount is increased to a maximum of $4,000. They also face up to a year in prison and a long-term license suspension.
Third offenses lead to fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 years. If a driver causes an accident while under the influence, they may be convicted of intoxication manslaughter. This is a second-degree felony, with a maximum fine of $10,000 and up to 20 years of prison time.
Drivers who text while driving will only be fined. But, if they cause an accident while texting and driving, they will face a Class A misdemeanor charge. This will mean up to a year in prison.
Drivers who fail to wear seatbelts and whose passengers do not wear seatbelts will be fined. Drivers who drive with children under 17 who do not wear seatbelts will also be fined.
It must be noted that there are exemptions to wearing seatbelts in Texas. If a doctor prescribes that a driver must not wear a seatbelt, the driver must carry this letter. Texas also exempts drivers from wearing seatbelts if they must get in and out of their cars several times daily.
Adhering to Traffic Laws and Regulations in Texas
Drivers must be aware of their surroundings while driving. They must take note and adhere to all traffic signals and signs. They should also maintain a safe following distance. Doing this will help drivers avoid legal troubles and stay safe as they navigate the Lone Star State.
