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Hoss from Port Neches Asks- Officer Antoine, keep the articles coming, I’m enjoying them every week. I have three grandchildren that are school age and they often use the school district bus for transportation to and from school. Officer Antoine I’m a proud paw-paw to be able to attend the different activities they participate in because they are all active in sports and they are transported pretty much everywhere they go by the big yellow buses the school district provides.

 I’m concerned about the school buses that are not equipped with seat belts. Shouldn’t all school buses have seat belts? I was under the impression that it was the law in Texas that all school buses have to be outfitted with seat belts. I’m not complaining about the district, just a very overly concerned paw-paw about why this hasn’t been completed by now. Officer Antoine thanks for all you do…

 

Answer- Good question Hoss. I understand your concern Hoss but believe it or not as far as land vehicles go, school buses are the safest means of all ground transportation with or without safety belts. Hoss consider this, school buses are huge and heavy and high off the ground all of this contribute to the added degree of the bus safety.  There are about 400,000 public school buses that routinely transport approximately 25 million children and nationwide it records less than 10 children each year die as a result of a crash. Yeah I know Hoss one child is too many. But when we think about the approximately 800 children who die each school while either walking, biking or riding in a passenger vehicle to and from school that 10 number ain’t so bad after all. Today only six states have school bus seat belts requirements and that includes California, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and the great state of Texas. Hoss in Texas 2018 all NEW school buses are mandated to be equipped with safety belts, the old buses are grandfathered in because it’s not believed to be cost effective. It’s estimated to cost districts in Texas anywhere between $7,000 to $11,000. I know, I know, I know, I can hear you now, there are arguments to be made on both sides cost vs safety but the law is the law right now until it changes. School buses are compartmentalized and seats high with lots of cushion and it has been proven to be safer than all other vehicles on the road. Just my opinion backed by facts. I’d much rather let my child ride a school bus than any other means of travel…unless they can fly an airplane.

 

Herb from Port Arthur asks- Officer Antoine, my grandson was getting on me for not setting my parking brake when I exited my vehicle. He even went on to say I could be ticketed, or even arrested if I don’t set my parking brake before leaving my car. I asked him where did he hear such foolishness, and his answer was from Officer Antoine at his driving class. Officer Antoine, I read your column and I’ve never read this before. Is it against the law in Texas to exit your vehicle and not set the parking brake even if you turned the vehicle off first?

 

Answer- Good Question Herb. Your grandson appears to have been very attentive in my class and has absorbed some knowledge that you don’t have. Herb, your grandson is 100% absolutely correct to say that in Texas, it is illegal to park your vehicle without setting the parking brake. Herb, it doesn’t matter if you’re on a flat or incline plain surface, you MUST set your parking brake upon exiting your vehicle in Texas. Failure to do so could result in a citation or arrest for the violation. So Herb thank your grandson and go set your parking brake.

 

Jo from Rose City asks- Officer Antoine you stated before that there is a law called “improper use of horn”, meaning the horn system is not used to speak to someone on the road, instead it is a safety device. How about the horn system that is announced when you lock your vehicle with the remote key fob, is that illegal too?

 

Answer- Good question Jo. – WOW. what a comeback to that answer, I wouldn’t have thought of that question in a lifetime (smile). This is one of those questions that make me stop in my tracks and scratch my head and ponder. Jo you are correct the horn system on a vehicle is a safety/warning device and not meant to blow at leisure. The horn system is a safety warning device and usage other than that can be cited as improper use of a horn. Now you mentioned the horn that can be activated with the key fob can be considered a safety/warning device in itself. It assures the driver that his/her vehicle is secured and it also allows that motorist to activate the horn alarm if someone is uncomfortable about a stranger that is near them. So caller with that said, it is not illegal to use your key fob horn to assure that you are securing your vehicle.

 

Join Me, Officer Antoine and the CREW Stephen “Buzzard Boots” Mosley, Lelo “mouth of Hwy 69/73” I Washington & Tejas “Lil Man”Morning Star for Ask A Cop live, on KSAP 96.9 FM The Breeze radio station, every Tuesday for 1 hour from 1p-2:30p. Tune in and listen as Officer Antoine discusses in detail the newly released “Ask A Cop” article that’s printed in The News. You can also tune in via internet atwww.ksap969thebreeze.org. Feel free to call in and ask your question live to Officer Antoine at (409) 982-0247. Now you can make a comment or Ask a Question via TEXT(409)748-6106. Remember to email your questions torickey.antoine@portarthurtx.gov, or call 409-983-8673 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 always free and comfortable to approach and “Ask A Cop”!