2018 Texas Traffic Laws

As is the case with most states in the union, Texas is always updating its driving and Texas traffic laws as technology, trends and other factors require it to. For 2018, there are a few notable new laws that have taken effect. We’ll also examine one big notable law that took effect in 2017 that is certainly worth reinforcing when it comes to their significance. Here’s a look:

Faster Vehicle Sales?

When a vehicle is sold, it’s standard for this ownership to be transferred from seller to buyer. A new bill, S.B. 1062, aims to speed up bill sales by further streamlining odometer readings. Prior to the bill taking effect, the only way to meet the odometer reading requirement for a sale was to do it on a secure form. Why? Because it prevented any tampering from occurring. After it was done this way, the form then had to be mailed, which could potentially delay the vehicle ownership transfer process by a few days.

Now, it’s no longer a requirement to file the odometer reading this way. Per the bill, electronic forms are the only thing that’s needed today, making for faster transfers. It’s also worth noting that electronic readings may also now be submitted in the case of filing an insurance claim. Sometimes, the waiting is the hardest part – this makes the wait times much more manageable.

No Texting and Driving

Though this involves a law that went into effect in 2017, it’s worth repeating. Texas has joined many other states in the union and has made texting and driving illegal thanks to H.B. 62, which went into effect on September 1, 2017. The statewide ban can result in a misdemeanor offense for those who violate it while operating a vehicle.

According to the law, first-time violators may be fined about $100, with fines doubling for repeat offenders. For context, Texas speeding ticket cost for going one to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit carries a base fine of $97, while speeding 20 miles per hour or more carries a base fine of $200. (We should also note that if you have tickets and points on your license and are interested in getting your insurance premiums decreased, taking courses at a TX traffic school can help.)

In 2015, almost 3,500 died from an accident involving a distracted driver nationwide. What’s more is that nearly 400,000 people were injured because of distracted driving. It’s these facts that are leading many states to take such matters very seriously, and Texas is now no exception. To date, 47 U.S. states ban texting while driving, as does Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

New Weight Limits on Milk Hauling

S.B. 1383 likely doesn’t apply to most Texans, but it’s certainly worth noting when it comes to new driving laws for this year. Specifically, the law has increased the weight limits on the amount of milk that can be hauled in a truck. Prior to 2018, that limit was 80,000 pounds. Now, it’s 90,000 pounds. According to the bill’s sponsor, the last time the milk transportation limits were updated was in 1995, so this was evidently due for a review.

Per the bill, drivers must have a permit to do so. The permit costs $1,200. Again, this won’t apply to the majority of Texas drivers, but we’re guessing that the increased weight limit is welcomed by drivers and grocery stores. For reference, a gallon of milk weighs about 8.6 pounds. That means trucks will be able to carry an additional 1,162.7 gallons with their load.

The Best New York Songs about Cars

It seems like Los Angeles and New Jersey get all the great car culture songs, right? Maybe you get some fun hot rod songs out of the Southern states, but in any event, New York City seems to get the short end of the stick in this regard. With so many classic musicians coming out of New York, you’d think we’d have more awesome car songs, right? Except that car people are sort of a minority in NYC. It’s easier to find New York songs about taxis and subways than it is to find a song about driving. So if you’re having trouble putting together your weekend drive playlist, let us help you out a little:

Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz, Lost Boyz

An ode to some of the local favorite car brands, and to the sheer joy of driving around NYC in the Summertime. The song takes you back to the 1990’s, when rappers wore baggy pants and Kangol caps and hit the streets in Jeeps, SUV’s and luxury cars. The Lost Boyz are undeniably New York in sound, in style and in attitude.

Harlem Drive, Quincy Jones

Although this jazzy instrumental does not contain any lyrics, it really does communicate perfectly what driving in Harlem is all about, doesn’t it? Cruising down the streets of Harlem you can just soak up the history by osmosis, picturing the jazz clubs, the early New York rappers, the cool, laid back, yet still serious vibe of the town.

Rockaway Beach, The Ramones

Rockaway Beach is not so much a song about driving around NYC as it is about escaping NYC on a hot Summer day. New Yorkers generally have to be content to pop a hydrant or take a dip in a public pool if they want to cool off in the dead heat of July, but now and then, if you’re up for fighting the traffic and finding your way down the coast, you can have an amazing experience on the Jersey Shore or even further south for an awesome road trip.

No Sleep Til Brooklyn, Beastie Boys

No Sleep Til Brooklyn perfectly communicates the feeling of those all-night, white-knuckle drives, trying to get back home through traffic, popping caffeine pills and chugging lousy gas station coffee. Viewing the city by the dim light of early morning. It’s a feeling halfway between Manhattan and Mad Max’s high-octane wasteland, a feeling that New Yorkers know all too well, and a feeling that’s maybe never been expressed better than the Beastie Boys expressed it on No Sleep Til Brooklyn.

Back Seat Of My Jeep, LL Cool J

LL Cool J raps about one of the greatest pleasures of car ownership: the bubble of privacy. When you’re out on a date in NYC, getting someplace private can take so long that the moment is near guaranteed to pass by the time you arrive. With a spacious ride like a Jeep, a backseat is transformed into a love nest, a honeymooner’s hotel room, a place where you can go for a little privacy just as soon as you find a spot to park.

Although car culture isn’t as strong in NYC as it is in some other cities, it’s still an important part of the city’s culture. New Yorkers take deep pride in their rides, and even if you don’t have the spacious freeways and endless parking spots found further South, it’s still one of the best places in the world to get behind the wheel.

Voice Texting No Better For Drivers

Texas A&M University’s Transportation Research Institute released a new study which shows that even when a driver uses voice-activated technology to send a text message they are just as distracted as if they sent a text in a traditional way.

What was perhaps most interesting about their study was the fact that all the drivers they tested, 43 in all, said they actually felt safer using the voice activated technology, despite the fact the study showed no improvement in their reaction time whatsoever.

Repeated studies by the American Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health have shown that distracted driving is a real danger. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has shown that distracted driving is now responsible for more traffic fatalities than any other unsafe behavior behind the wheel, including drunk driving.

Researchers have looked at a variety of tools meant to relieve some of the distractions which tempt drivers behind the wheel. Some devices actually block signals from being received or sent to a wireless device while the vehicle is in motion, but these devices also prevent sometimes important phone calls which may be answered somewhat safely with a hands-free device. And not all distractions are related to the use of electronic devices. Something as simple as changing a radio station or turning to look at a passenger in the backseat can be enough of a distraction to cause a serious, if not fatal, collision.

Voice activated texting systems were meant to offer a viable solution to the texting while driving dilemma, but following the recent study at Texas A&M University it seems unlikely that these systems will be in much demand, and may even be banned outright by lawmakers.

Rhode Island Upping The Ante For Distracted Drivers

Count Rhode Island among states looking to increase penalties for those drivers caught texting behind the wheel. A new bill being proposed by Rhode Island state legislators would increase penalties and give police more power to make stops and issue citations when they see someone texting behind the wheel.

Rhode Island legislators first enacted their texting while driving ban two years ago in an effort to convince drivers to avoid unneeded distractions behind the wheel. Since then, however, the state has issued just 600 tickets and collected more than $35,000 in fines, not enough, say some Rhode Island lawmakers.

If the proposed bill passes Rhode Island will have the strongest penalties in the nation with regards to texting behind the wheel. The new bill would require anyone caught texting behind the wheel to install a special device in their vehicle which would inhibit their ability to call any number on a cell phone except 9-1-1. Drivers who fail to install such a device would have their driving privileges suspended for one full year on the first offense, two full years for a second offense. The new law would also be written to prevent judges from suspending that portion of the punishment so no one would be able to get around it.

Already some are saying the new law goes too far and violates the civil liberties of people living in the state. There are also some questions about how the law would be enforced for those visiting the state from some where else.

Many questions remain unanswered, but one thing seems certain: Rhode Island lawmakers are not going to allow texting and driving in their state if they can help it.

NY Cracks Down on Distracted Drivers

Governor Cuomo Signs Law Strengthening Enforcement Against Drivers Caught Using Handheld Electronic Devices

New Legislation Makes Using Handheld Electronic Devices while Driving a Primary Traffic Offense; Additional Regulation will Increase Penalty from 2 Points to 3 Points for Cell Phone and Electronic Device Usage While Driving

Albany, NY (July 12, 2011) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a new law that strengthens the enforcement against drivers who use handheld electronic devices for activities such as texting while a vehicle is in motion. The legislation makes this action a primary traffic offense, giving law enforcement the power to stop drivers solely for engaging in this activity. The Governor also announced today that he will increase the penalty for using a cellular phone without a hands-free device or a handheld device while driving from two to three points through changes in state regulations. “I am proud to sign this bill today, both as the Governor and as a father of three teenagers,” Governor Cuomo said. “It’s plain and simple: distracted driving leads to tragedies that have affected families all across New York.

This new law will help ensure that drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. I thank Senator Marcellino and Assemblyman Weisenberg for their hard work on this legislation.” Before this law, it was illegal for drivers to use handheld electronic devices while their vehicle was in motion, but it was a secondary traffic offense — meaning a driver had to be stopped for another violation in order to receive a ticket. The new law makes it a primary traffic offense and it will go into effect immediately. The monetary penalty for a violation of this law continues to be a fine of up to $150. Illegal activity includes holding an electronic device and:

Composing, sending, reading, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving, or retrieving electronic data such as e-mail, text messages, or webpages
Viewing, taking, or transmitting images
Playing games

The law does not penalize drivers using a handheld electronic device that is affixed to a surface or using a GPS device that is attached to the vehicle. The law also exempts police officers, fire fighters, or emergency vehicle drivers while they are performing their duties. In addition, a driver is exempt from the law if the driver is communicating or attempting to communicate with law enforcement, the fire department, or medical personnel during an emergency situation.

New York State Senator Carl L. Marcellino said, “With this new legislation, New York State driving laws have finally caught up with today’s technology. Our new law will strengthen enforcement against drivers using handheld electronic devices and help keep drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe. I am proud to stand with Governor Cuomo as he signs the bill I sponsored into law and we finally make distracted driving a serious offense.” New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg said, “As a former police officer, I’ve seen the devastation caused by distracted drivers. Today, we are giving law enforcement the tools they need to keep our roads safe and prevent future accidents. These changes will save lives. I’d like to thank Governor Cuomo for supporting this law and I look forward to our continued work together.”

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “Motorists should now realize the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while texting on mobile devices or talking on a cell phone without an approved hands-free device. This change in the statute will allow law enforcement to continue the battle against distracted driving. Distracted driving is dangerous driving and drivers must reduce diversion and behaviors that take their attention from the road. Attentive, responsible, defensive driving is the key to avoiding crashes and keeping our highways safe.” New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said, “It’s no secret that violations of the no-texting and no use of hand held devices while driving rules are widespread despite their nexus to accidents, including fatalities. This legislation is a welcome step toward saving lives.”

President of AAA New York State Thomas Hoy said, “With nearly 2 trillion text messages sent last year, texting represents the most dangerous form of distracted driving. We applaud the Governor and lawmakers for stiffening the consequences for those who jeopardize the rest of us with their careless conduct.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 16% of fatal accidents in 2009 were due to distracted driving and 20% of people injured during a crash were involved in a crash where distracted driving was reported. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that truck drivers who were texting were 23 times more at risk of a crash or near crash.

Do smart cars make driving less fun?

Related topics: Traffic School, Defensive Driving School

What used to be a thing of fantasy or science fiction is now on a fast track of becoming a reality.

More and more cars now have “smart car” features, ranging from sophisticated navigation systems to smart braking controls. These “smart” technologies include: electronic stability control systems to prevent skids; technology that answers text messages so you can keep your eyes on the road; radar that warns of other vehicles and objects that might cause a crash based on your speed and proximity; adaptive cruise control that adjusts speed to keep a safe distance between vehicles (one of the main defensive driving techniques) ; and sensors that help you navigate into parallel-parking spaces.

Some futurists predict a day when technology will connect intelligent vehicles with high-tech highways to provide a seamless flow of traffic.

Google also has been working on self-driving cars that use artificial-intelligence software. Still years from commercial production, the prototypes have shown promise. Seven Google test cars have driven 1,000 miles without a human in control.

Such cars could open up new transportation possibilities for people who are disabled or otherwise unable to drive. It’s even possible that “smart car” technology could lead to cheaper car-insurance rates.

But will all these changes steal the fun from driving? Does it take fun out of driving?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Texting-and-driving bill dies

Senate deadlocks on measure to ban sending messages from road. Arizonans will not be banned from texting while driving, at least this year.

Proposed legislation that would have prohibited typing, reading or sending text messages and e-mails while driving on a state highway died with an 11-11 vote by the Senate on Tuesday. The bill would not have prohibited talking on the phone while driving and would have allowed drivers to type a name or telephone number to make a call.

This is the second year in a row the effort to ban texting while driving has failed despite support from dozens of organizations, including cellphone-company representatives. The Arizona Citizens Defense League opposed the measure.

Legislators who voted against it acknowledged that texting while driving is dangerous, but said they opposed unnecessary government restrictions.

Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, called the legislation a “nanny bill” and “feel-good legislation” that would have banned a practice already covered under current laws against reckless driving.
Supporters said the bill is about saving lives. They said parents would be able to tell children that texting while driving is illegal.

“It’s such a dangerous activity to be texting while you’re driving, that outlawing it would seem to be a given,” said Sen. Barbara Leff, R-Paradise Valley.

Phoenix banned texting while driving within its city limits in 2007. Phoenix police Officer Luis Samudio said that about nine citations for texting while driving have been issued since the law went into effect.

“It is minimal,” he said.