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Eric from Port Arthur Asks- Officer Antoine, what is the procedure for a railroad arm that’s stuck down with its light flashing for an extended period of time? If there is no train in sight what are drivers to do, because it makes no sense to just sit at a place where the lights are obviously malfunctioning? 

 

Answer- Good question Eric. This is a very simple question that apparently many people are lacking clarity regarding the answer. Eric, when you are stopped at a railroad crossing where the arms are malfunctioning, red lights flashing and clearly no train in sight, you simply “WAIT,” or you can elect to turn around and go the other direction. If you see someone go between the railroad’s arms, that doesn’t mean follow the leader because if law enforcement is in the area, you just may be the violator they see crossing. Eric, every three hours someone is involved in a train crash in this country. In 2024 there were 270 people needlessly killed and 748 injured in the U.S because drivers failed to take the railroad warning seriously, and ultimately paying with their lives. There were 818 fatalities and 646 injuries related to train trespassing. This has prompted the slogan “STOP BECAUSE TRAINS CAN’T.”  So Eric, just be informed the next time you happen to be in line at a railroad crossing, you are free to turn around and go the opposite direction of the intersection. Just don’t go around the arms.

 

Kenneth from Port Neches asks- Officer, my wife and I desperately need your knowledge in your field of expertise, the laws of Texas regarding driving a motor vehicle. My wife and I travel to Houston at least two weekends out of the month to go visit our granddaughter. On our way to Houston on Interstate 10 the speed limit signs don’t seem to mean anything. Everybody on interstate 10 going and coming from Houston is speeding including ME. Now, my wife doesn’t agree but Officer Antoine I’m only traveling with the traffic, but she doesn’t seem to agree. How am I supposed to drive if EVERYONE is speeding?

 

Answer- Good question Kenneth- Speeding in a motor vehicle is one of the most common traffic violations that is committed daily on the roads of Texas. Now Kenneth, keep in mind that just because everyone else is speeding it does not make it right for you to speed. It is your responsibility as a licensed motorist to always obey the laws set forth by the state of Texas Transportation Code. If you head back to Houston and you find yourself following the crowd, I would encourage you to move over to the right lane and drive up to the maximum speed limit given the weather or road conditions. Kenneth I always pose this question when asked about this, if everyone was stealing out of a store is it Ok for you to steal being everyone else is stealing. Of course it’s not OK to steal. Left lane driving should accommodate all of the law breaking speeders. Move over in the right slow lane, and drive safely. Remember if you’re not passing another vehicle or preparing to turn left you should not be driving in the left lane. So Kenneth the state of Texas and I side with your wife on this issue.

 

YoYo from Sulfur La. asks- Officer Antoine I commute from Sulfur Louisina to Port Arthur daily, but I’m thinking about relocating to Port Arthur. What do I need to do to get a Texas drivers license? I hope I don’t have to take the driving part over, because I’m so beyond that. 

 

Answer- Good question YoYo. Welcome to Port Arthur we hope you can move here or the surrounding community. YoYo I’ll put your heart at ease and let you know that you will not have to retake the behind the wheel portion to be issued a Texas drivers license. If  you currently have an unexpired out of state license you will need to go to the Department of Public Safety office and apply for a Texas license. It’s important to remember that Texas allows a new out of state resident up to 90 days to get a Texas drivers license. You will need to bring your proof of residency, social security card, Texas registration for vehicles, and proof of insurance. YoYo remember once you are a Texan the clock starts ticking you have 90 days. 

 

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 2 hours from 1 to 3 p.m. 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 the internet www.ksap969thebreeze.org. Feel free to call in and ask your question live to Officer Antoine at (409) 982-0247. Ask A Cop is printed weekly in El Perico Hispanic Newspaper and weekly broadcast every Tuesday at 4:30 to 5 p.m. on Hispanic radio station KVAP-LP 95.5fm. Remember to email your questions torickey.antoine@portarthurtx.gov, or call 409-983-8673 and leave a voice mail question, or mail them to: Officer Rickey Antoine,645 4th Street, Port Arthur, Texas, 77640. If you happen to see me in public you are always free and comfortable to approach and “Ask A Cop.”