9/1/05 Will bring New Traffic Laws to The state of Texas

A number of notable Texas traffic and driving laws designed toincrease safety on the roads and driverseducation awareness go into effect on Sept 1.

Automobile operators under the age of Motor vehicle operatorswill at present have a harder time getting traffic violationsflushed from their operators. SB 1005 provides that if a driveryounger than 25 years of age commits a traffic offenseclassified as a moving violation, the judge must necessitate thedriver to complete a classroom based or online defensivedriving course. In addition, if the driver holds aprovisional driver license - in other words, is under operatorsyears of age - they must submit to a Texas Department of PublicSafety road test in addition to taking an offline or online defensivedriving course. Failure by the driver to meet thisrequirement will result in a final conviction for that trafficoffense.

Proof of insurance will be enforced through the new Lone StarState law SB 1670. This law necessitates the Department ofInsurance, in conjunction with TxDOT and other authorities, toconstitute a confirmation program for automobile insurance inorder to try and trim back the number of uninsured motor vehicleoperators.

SB 1257 disallows use of wireless communications devices(including cellular telephones) for the first six months afterteenagers obtain their driver licenses. The bill also interdictspassenger bus automobile operators transporting minors fromutilizing wireless communications gear, except in emergencies orwhen the bus is stopped. Use of wireless gear has becomeomnipresent and is under suspicion of inducing accidents.

Many of the items covered by these laws are talked over in theavailable Lone Star State defensive driving courses offered uponline and in classroom settings. Prices can vary for motor vehicleoperators safety courses but the minimum they can be by lawin the state of Texas is $25.