By Rickey Antoine

Caller on The Breeze Radio 96.9 FM from Port Arthur asks: Officer Antoine, I was in a public office and I overheard two ladies talking about the right to travel in Texas and no Driver License is necessary. I never heard of such, so I took it upon myself and researched on the Internet and I found documents that supported their conversation. So my question to you is, if someone is traveling in Texas, do they need a Driver License, or can they legally travel in Texas without a license?

Answer: Good question, Caller! Sometimes we have to be very careful when we eavesdrop on someone’s conversation (Smile). I said it on The Breeze Radio and I’m saying it again: “You will need a driver’s license in Texas to legally operate a motor vehicle in Texas.” I’m not certain what documents you and the other ladies have read, but driving a motor vehicle on the roads in the state of Texas without a legally issued license is a crime! The state of Texas will not permit anyone who has not proven their competency of state laws or skills test behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, to drive on its roadway. Having a license in Texas is not a RIGHT, it is purely a PRIVILEGE, because the state of Texas gives (Driver License) and if you don’t abide by the rules of the roads, the state of Texas can/will take it (Driver License) away. Caller, anyone can start a blog online or publish an article, but that doesn’t make the article the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! The only way I know you have the constitutional right to travel in Texas without a Driver License is if you are traveling by foot, bicycle or horse. If you are traveling (driving) a motor vehicle, you will need a Driver License!

Michelle from Nederland asks: Officer Antoine, I travel down Highway 365 daily and when I get to the area near Jack in the Box on Highway 365, there is sometimes a bus with flashing red lights and Stop Sign out, unloading students on the opposite side of the road. But drivers ignore the flashing red light on the bus and continue because the bus is all the way on the other side of the road. I know it’s illegal because I and approximately (5) five other drivers had the unfortunate opportunity to meet you, and you gave everyone a ticket for passing that bus on the opposite side of the road. Trust me when I tell you I’ve learned my lesson the hard $$$ way. Now that I obey the law, I’m so afraid the car behind me is going to hit me because they are not stopping. They suddenly switch lanes and go around me. Please inform all motorists that no matter how wide the road is, all drivers must stop for a stopped school bus with red lights flashing!

Answer: Good statement, Michelle! You are the exact result that I issue citations, COMPLIANCE! Michelle, you are now part of the solution and not the problem. I know that there may be readers who say, “You have said that before, Officer Antoine!” You would be correct! This has been mentioned before and I will mention it again and again and again and again, until it sinks in! Michelle, here we go. If anyone is traveling on a roadway where a school bus is stopped with its red flashing lights activated and there are NO physical barriers that can’t normally be driven upon, you are required by law in the state of Texas to STOP, and do NOT pass the school bus. Even on a roadway like Highway 365, where there are (5) five to (7) seven lanes in certain areas. Even if no children can be visibly seen exiting or entering the school bus that has activated it flashing RED lights, your responsibility as a driver is to STOP. The very last thing we want is an errant driver who has refused to stop, or is distracted and passed a stopped school bus and crashed into a child causing any injury. Keep in mind, if there is no physical barrier separating the two opposite directions of travel, you must stop for the stopped school bus with flashing red lights.

Kevin from Bridge City asks: Officer Antoine, I just love reading the “Ask A Cop” article in “The News.” It’s really the talk of the office on Tuesday mornings. I commute to Port Arthur Monday-Friday and because of the season we are in, it is very foggy in the morning, especially in places where there is a body of water. The roadway is very hard to see, so I along with many drivers turn on bright lights so we will be able to see the road (I’m not by myself). What does the law say about driving with bright lights on? I got this itchy feeling that we are wrong!

Answer: Good question, Kevin! Just because others do it, doesn’t make it right or safe! Fog is a huge contributor to crashes and fatalities because drivers don’t adapt to the different driving conditions. Many drivers continue to drive in the extreme foggy conditions like they do when the weather is clear. Kevin, turning on your high beams, also known as bright lights, is the very thing that a driver SHOULD NOT do! If you must drive in foggy conditions, where your vision is limited, I urge all drivers to SLOW down and decrease your following distance to help you, because your reaction will be delayed which will increase you stopping distance. Do not use your cruise control in inclement weather. You need to be in total control of your vehicle. Turn on your hazard lights and move in the right lane if you must travel considerably under the posted speed limit. If the visibility is too dense for you, pull over and turn on your hazard lights. Keep in mind, which is better to arrive alive at work late, or not at all! The state of Texas states that drivers facing traffic cannot have high beams activated less than 500 feet when approaching the front of vehicles, and drivers cannot have high beams activated 200 feet when approaching a vehicle from the rear. Now you know better, Kevin. I’m convinced you will do better! Drive Safe!!

Join Officer Antoine for Ask A Cop live, on KSAP 96.9 FM The Breeze radio station, every Tuesday for 1 hour from 1p-2p. Tune in and listen as Officer Antoine discusses in detail the newly released “Ask A Cop” article that printed in The News. You can also tune in via internet at www.ksapthebreeze.org. Feel free to call in and ask your question live to Officer Antoine at (409) 982-0247. Remember to email your questions to rantoine@portarthurpd.com, or call 409-984-8541 and leave a voice mail question, or mail them to: Ofc. Rickey Antoine, 645 Fourth Street, Port Arthur, Texas, 77640. If you happen to see me in public you can Ask A Cop!