Our King Cake reward was nothing short of pure joy, as we were able to see the surprise expressions on the face of good drivers as we conducted our first Laissez les bons “Drivers” Rouler, or Let the Good Drivers Roll that will end TODAY!  The Port Arthur Police Department would like to salute and say “Thanks” to Rao’s Bakery owner, Jake Tortorice Jr., and their Nederland store employees for being accommodating and patient during this 13-day King Cake giveaway. Port Arthur Police Traffic Enforcement Officers observed drivers who are part of the traffic solution in Port Arthur, and rewarded them with a fresh made King Cake from Rao’s Bakery for their good driving behavior. Traffic Officers were especially focusing on drivers who properly secure their children in their motor vehicle. So if a member to the Traffic Unit is signaling you to pull over to speak with you today, there just may be a DELICIOUS SWEET surprise coming your way. Laissez les bons Driver Rouler and YOU could be next to receive a World famous Rao’s King Cake! We want the safe and good driving behavior to continue.  Even if YOU weren’t a recipient of a King Cake, your good driving could save a LIFE, which believe it or not, is tastier than a KING CAKE! Let’s not forget we still have a lot of delicious sugar cookie coupons left, to give after today so let’s all “Drive Safe”!

Willard from Nederland asks: I read your Tuesday articles in the Port Arthur newspaper, and you do give good advice to your readers. My question is as follows, the other day I was traveling to Orange and when I approached the Veterans Bridge, I encountered a Funeral procession traveling in the same direction. Their long procession was in the inside lane and the leading constable vehicle was in the middle lane with its lights flashing. The entire procession was traveling well below the posted 75 mph speed limit. Was this procession in the correct lane or should it have been in the outside or so called slow lane? If so, this may have allowed for faster highway traffic to flow in its usual manner?

Answer: Good question, Willard! Well, Willard, I cannot say the constable was wrong because if he decided to have the funeral travel in the inside lane, he had the authority to do so. With that said, I will side with you, and say “yes,” on a highway where the posted speed limit is 75 mph, it would have been better for the rest of the motorists if the funeral procession was traveling in the outside lane. If you are traveling in the same direction as the funeral procession and the procession is behind you with a Police vehicle siren, and lights are activated, that’s when the state of Texas requires drivers to safely pull over to the right and stop. So if you are approaching the funeral procession from the rear, you are allowed to continue to pass the procession as long as you can pass safely. Willard, I remember the days when no one would pass a funeral.  ALL motorist would stop and exit their vehicle with their hands over their hearts in order to show respect to the family of the deceased. But that was YESTERDAY!

Carol from Port Arthur asks: Officer Antoine, if I am a licensed driver do I have to have my license in my possession while driving a motor vehicle? My friend was dropping her daughter off to school because she missed the school bus, and she was stopped by you and you gave her a ticket because she didn’t have her license on her. If you can determine if I have a license, why would I get a ticket if you know I have a license? I don’t understand this one! Please help me!

Answer: Good question, Carol! Help is on the way! In the state of Texas Transportation Code 521.025, it states that a driver MUST present a valid Driver License when demanded by a Police Officer. Carol, even if the Officer checks the status of the name you have given him and the Officer has determined that you are a state license holder, you still have to be able to produce the license to a Police Officer. Carol, it’s so serious that a Police Officer can stop ANY vehicle he/she desires without a traffic violation being committed just to check if the driver has a valid license, and if you left the license at home, you just committed an offense!

Mary from Groves asks: Officer Antoine, thanks for all of the help you give to us motorists, helping us to be safer on the roadway. As we came from a New Year’s party, my sister decided to take the children on a trip and she had more children than seat belts in her vehicle. So she decided to put two kids in the same seat belt, I objected this and she told me that it was legal, because she spoke to her attorney about it. I told her I was going to ask Office Antoine. She is confident and I’m not sure but it doesn’t look right, Antoine!

Answer: Good question, Mary! You have perfect vision Mary, because not only does it not look right, it’s not LEGAL! Seat belts are designed and tested for that safety of ONE (1) passenger, not for TWO (2) passengers to be protected by the same belt. Mary, actually you VOID the safety protection of a seat belt if you don’t correctly wear it. This also includes seat belts are NOT to be worn under your arm because the strap rubs on your neck. If you don’t wear it correctly, we consider that it’s not on at all.

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 4th Street, Port Arthur, Texas, 77640. If you happen to see me in public you can Ask A Cop!