— Suzzie from Port Neches asks: Ofc. Antoine, my husband and I have been enjoying your articles. We came across a question and don't really know the answer. Can you turn left at a red light?

Answer: Thanks, Suzzie. I'm glad the article is reaching and teaching. Very good question. Yes you can, but there is only ONE, I repeat ONE, instance where you can turn left at a red light. Only when you are traveling on a ONE WAY street and approach a traffic signal that's red and the street you are turning on is also a ONE WAY street. Then when it's safe you can turn left on RED from a one way onto a one way.

Robert from Beaumont asks: When you come to a four-way stop sign and two other vehicles arrive at the same time, what's the law on who goes first and in what order?

Answer: Good question Robert. The law generally states that the operator of a motor vehicle should first stop at a stop sign and when it's safe, the driver can enter into the intersection. The law actually leaves the right of way to the drivers. A good practice to remember is first to stop is the first to go, but most times drivers will communicate with each other and afford others the right of way.

Wilbert from Port Arthur asks: What are we (drivers) suppose to do when we pass a police vehicle that's stopped with emergency light activated?

Answer: EXCELLENT question, Wilbert. I've been waiting for this question to come in. This is probably the most disregarded or unknown law I observe on a daily basis. Texas passed this law about three years ago, "Passing a stopped emergency vehicle.” This law applies to police vehicles, fire engines, ambulances, and tow trucks. The law states when you are traveling on a road and you approach a stopped emergency vehicle WITH its lights activated you MUST move over to the far lane away from the emergency vehicle that will provide a empty lane between the stopped emergency vehicle and your vehicle, or if you pass next to the emergency vehicle you MUST slow down 20 mph below the posted speed limit when the speed limit is 25 or greater. Wilbert, it doesn't matter if you see the police officer or whomever outside their vehicle, when the emergency lights are activated you still must "move over or slow down".

Earline from Port Arthur asks: I was traveling the other day and approached a traffic light that turned yellow and when I entered the intersection the light turned red. Did I run the red light?

Answer: Good question, Earline. Many crashes occur everyday because drivers either don't know the answer or disregard this important law. Earline, if any part of your vehicle entered the intersection before the traffic signal turned RED you did not violate the law. The yellow light still gives you the right of way on the road, it's an extention of the green light warning drivers to take caution because the light will soon turn RED. Many drivers believe the yellow light means speed up and and beat the red light; however, this is not a safe practice! If you can imagine drawing a line from every corner of the intersection making a box, if you haven't crossed the line of the box with the front of your vehicle and the light turns red, you disregarded (ran) a red light.

Remember to email me your question at  rantoine@portarthurpd.com, or call (409) 984-8541 leave a voicemail, mail to Officer Rickey Antoine 645 Fourth St., Port Arthur, Texas 77640. Or if you happen to see me in publc you can "Ask A Cop".