April came with a clear warning for those who drive in Texas: There will be more patrols on roads, highways and urban areas as part of a statewide traffic safety campaign. The official goal is to reduce crashes, protect workers stopped on the side of the road, and punish behavior that continues to cause accidents every day.
For millions of people in the state — many of them Latinos who depend on the car to go to work, take children to school or make deliveries — it is not a minor issue. In Texas, distracted driving or ignoring certain rules can result in a hefty fine. just when the cost of living is already getting tighter.
He Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) He confirmed that during April he will intensify surveillance and special operations on the state’s roads.
The mistake that many make without thinking about it
One of the main focuses this month is on the law known as Switch Over or Gradual Down. The rule requires that when a driver sees a patrol car, ambulance, tow truck or official vehicle stopped with lights on on the side of the road, they must change lanes (if it is safe to do so) or slow down substantially if they cannot move.
Many drivers continue by without reducing speed or pass too close. That carelessness can end in a significant penalty.
In Texas, Failure to comply with this rule can result in fines of up to $1,250, and if there are serious injuries or damages, the consequences can escalate much higher.
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They also watch your cell phone while driving
Another sparkling point is the using the phone while driving. Watching messages, responding to WhatsApp, looking at social networks or even adjusting the GPS while moving can be considered distracted driving. What seems to many to be “just a second” can be enough to cause a crash.
Carlos M., a landscaping worker in Houston, said he was arrested last year while looking at his cell phone at a traffic light. “I thought nothing was happening because I was braking. The officer explained to me that I was still getting distracted. Since then I leave everything ready before starting.”
Driving tickets, a key problem in Texas
Texas is one of the states where the most people depend on cars for daily life. Long distances, limited public transportation in many areas, and mobile jobs mean millions spend several hours a week driving.
That means that a fine doesn’t just hit for the amount. It can also bring increased car insurance, points on your driving record, time lost in court or paperwork, and, of course, additional financial stress.
Therefore, before leaving home, it is worth doing something easy:
- Current license.
- Active insurance.
- Vehicle registration up to date.
- Cell phone stored or hands free.
- GPS programmed before driving.
- Additional tips: Pay special attention if you see lights on the shoulder.
The data shown by the scale
During previous similar campaigns, Texas authorities issued tens of thousands of citations and warnings, including speeding, no insurance and other frequent violations.
It’s not always about “bad driving.” Sometimes the fine comes for a habit that seemed fashionable: looking at a notification, not changing lanes, passing quickly by a tow truck or leaving with expired papers.
In April, Texas said it will be looking at just that.
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