Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Chapter 14: Additional Safety Tips 

Texas Driver Handbook

Vehicles with Open Beds Towing a Boat or Watercraft

It is an offense for a person to operate a motor vehicle that is towing a boat or personal watercraft in or on which a person who is 

younger than 18 years of age is riding.

It is a defense to prosecution that the driver was operating the motor vehicle:

1.  In a parade

2.  In an emergency, or

3.  On a beach

Open Bed Passenger Restrictions

It is a Class B misdemeanor to operate a truck, road tractor, or truck tractor when another person occupies a trailer or semi-trailer 

being drawn by the truck, road tractor, or truck tractor.

It is a defense to prosecution that the person:

1.  Towing the vehicle did not know another person occupied the trailer or semi-trailer

2.  Occupying the trailer or semi-trailer was in a part of the vehicle designed for human habitation

3.  Operating or towing the vehicle was:

a.  In a parade or in an emergency

b.  Transporting farm-workers from one field to another field on a farm-to-market road, ranch-to-market road, or county road 

outside a municipality, or

c.  In a hayride permitted by the governing body of or a law enforcement agency of each county or municipality in which the 

hayride will occur

When Stopped by Law Enforcement

If you are stopped by law enforcement it is suggested you:

1.  Slow down and move the vehicle safely to the right of the road.

2.  Park your vehicle as far to the right of the main traffic lane as possible. If available, park on the right shoulder or, if unavailable, 

park on a nearby well-lighted side street or parking lot away from high volume traffic.

3.  Place the vehicle in a parking position, set the emergency brake, turn the engine off, and activate the hazard warning lights.

4.  If at night, turn on the interior dome light. 

5.  Remain in the car, lower the driver’s window if you feel safe to do so. Keep both hands clearly in sight on the steering wheel.  

Wait for the law enforcement officer to give you instructions. An officer may approach from either side of the vehicle.

6.  Before reaching into your glove box or under the seat to retrieve your proof of insurance or driver’s license, inform the officer 

of where the items are located and follow the officer’s directions.

7.  If asked to exit the vehicle, check for passing vehicles to exit safely.

8.  Advise passengers to remain in the car unless other instructions are given by the law enforcement officer, and

9.  At the conclusion of the traffic stop, give the appropriate signals and safely return to the proper lane of traffic when released by 

the law enforcement officer.

Obligations, Responsibilities, Courtesy and Safety

State law requires a driver to immediately stop when approached by an authorized emergency vehicle and you may be arrested 

if you do not stop immediately. If you feel the area is unsafe to stop immediately or if you have concerns the vehicle is not a real 

police vehicle, you can take the following steps to minimize the risk of being arrested or charges being filed against you: turn on 

your hazard lights and drive slowly and carefully below the posted speed limit; you may call 9-1-1 and remain on the phone with 

the operator while you stop and verify the officer’s identity; you may drive to a nearby well-lighted, populated place to stop. It is 

important to understand that law enforcement jurisdictions overlap and a local 9-1-1 call center operator may not be able to imme-

diately determine what officer is working in that area at that time.  If you stop in an unsafe location, such as on a bridge or a high 

traffic roadway, an officer may direct you over the public address speaker to move to a safer location. Follow the officer’s directions. 

Law enforcement officers, drivers, and passengers should respond with courtesy during traffic stops and other officer/citizen inter-

actions. Drivers and passengers should not exit the vehicle unless asked to do so. Exiting your vehicle may be perceived as aggres-

sive behavior and a threat to the officer’s safety. Drivers and passengers inside a vehicle should not attempt to reach, dig, or search 

for their license or insurance documents before or while an officer is approaching. Drivers who transport handguns in their vehicles 

are encouraged to keep them in a separate location from license and insurance documentation.

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Chapter 14: Additional Safety Tips 

Texas Driver Handbook

During a traffic stop, the driver and any passengers are subjected to an investigative detention, which may only last for a reasonable 

amount of time. Passengers can ask the officer if they are free to leave and do so if the officer agrees. Law enforcement may ask 

questions during this time. You cannot be punished for refusing to answer questions; however, drivers are required by law to display 

a driver license when requested by an officer. If you are lawfully detained or arrested, you are also required to give your name, resi-

dence address, and date of birth. A driver or a passenger who gives law enforcement a false or fraudulent identity or false answers 

may be arrested.  It may be to your benefit to speak to law enforcement, such as to convey the reason you may have an emergency or 

for the driver to provide the officer your name address and date of birth if you do not have your driver license with you. 

Law enforcement may also ask for consent to search your vehicle or person. You may grant or deny the request to search; however, if 

an officer has probable cause to believe that your vehicle contains evidence of a crime, it can be searched without your consent. If an 

officer reasonably believes that you have a weapon, the officer can conduct a pat down search of your person and the immediate area 

around you, including areas of your vehicle. It is unlawful to physically resist a search, but you have the right to notify the officer 

that you do not consent to any search. 

Complaints or Concerns

If you believe an officer has acted inappropriately during a traffic stop or other encounter, you should report that conduct to the of-

ficer’s superiors and follow agency guidelines for submitting complaints against officers as soon as possible. Officers will normally 

provide their names and badge numbers on request, when practical. Due to the overlapping of jurisdictions, drivers should make sure 

they identify the correct agency as well as any identifying aspects of the officer and law enforcement vehicle.

Drivers should refrain from arguing the validity of a charge during the traffic stop or detention. Signing a citation is not admitting 

guilt. It simply confirms your promise to pay the fine or contact the court. If you do not agree with the charge brought against you 

and wish to contest it, you should argue your case before a judge or request a jury trial and acquire the services of an attorney to 

represent you.

False Identification Offense

A person commits an offense if he/she gives a false or fictitious name to a law enforcement officer who has lawfully arrested or 

detained the person. 

Evading arrest or detention

A person commits an offense if he intentionally flees from a person he knows is a peace officer or federal special investigator at-

tempting to lawfully arrest or detain him. You will be subject to higher penalties if you use a vehicle or watercraft while evading 

arrest or cause injury to another person.

Road Rage

Each year, road rage, also referred to as aggressive driving, causes hundreds of injuries and deaths. Aggressive driving occurs 

when a driver becomes angry or irritated and as a result, fails to follow the rules of the road. An aggressive driver will intentionally 

aggravate or attempt to aggravate other drivers and in some cases cause bodily injury, property damage, or death to others.

Tips to Avoid Road Rage

1.  Plan your trip or schedule in advance. Allow extra time in case your vehicle breaks down or you encounter traffic congestion 

due to a crash, road construction, or rush-hour traffic.

2.  When caught in traffic do not get angry. Try to relax and listen to music you enjoy. Remember, traffic congestion is usually 

temporary and you will soon be on your way.

3.  Should you need to use the horn, tap the horn; do not hold down the horn. Do not confront other drivers or make obscene 

gestures.

4.  Do not cut into another driver’s lane of traffic. Properly signal your intentions to change lanes and change lanes when it is safe 

to do so. Turn your turn signal off after you complete your lane change.

5.  Do not intentionally slow down, slam on your brakes, or speed up to keep someone from passing or entering your lane of travel.

6.  Do not tailgate; follow at a safe distance.

7.  Always remember to drive friendly and report aggressive driving to the local authorities.

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