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Frank from Port Arthur Asks- Officer Antoine my co-worker has lost his mind and tinted his whole front window. He thinks this is the best thing since sliced bread and he’s always bragging about NOT being able to see in his vehicle. Officer Antoine he’s absolutely correct you can’t see in his vehicle from the front, side not back windows. I haven’t seen anyone else tint their front window, so I’m confused about if this is legal or not! In my opinion it’s not legal but I’m not sure about what the law says. That’s why I came to you. Officer Antoine, is it legal to tint your whole front windshield?

 

Answer- Good question Frank! This is definitely a safety concern to all law enforcement officers across this great state. It’s also a driving safety hazard to tint your whole front windshield. Frank, I was hoping you were going to say LOL,  I was just kidding and give me another question, but I never read that so we have someone driving totally blacked out windows. And I’ll step out on a ledge and say he’s not the only one.  Frank I’m not the law making authority but I’ve swore an oath that I’ll be one of thousands law enforcement agents in the state of Texas. There are many laws that govern this great state of Texas and it’s illegal to tint your front window below the AS-1 line or 5 inches from the top of your windshield. Frank this tint must not be lower than 25% light transparency. So to tint the front of your vehicle may add relief from the southeast Texas heat in a parked vehicle but you will drive at night and your vision will be limited. This can illegally work in your favor in the heat of the day but at night it will illegally work against you. Frank, please show your co-worker this article today and hopefully he’ll do what’s legal and safe, prompting him to remove the front window tint and make sure the driver and front passenger are not lower than 25% light transparency.

 

Greg from Orange Asks- Officer Antoine, during the holidays, or anytime, I’m hauling alcohol in my vehicle to go to a friend’s house for an adult beverage get together. If after I’m done with the get together, and trust me I have a designated driver because I plan on being intoxicated. If there’s some extra beverage left in bottles, can I bring the alcohol home or since it’s been opened? Would it be illegal to put the opened alcohol in my car?

 

Answer- Good question Greg. I’m glad you’re not chancing driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated! We wish many others would plan as responsibly as you are by having a DESIGNATED DRIVER. Greg, you and many others will partake in adult alcoholic drinks during the upcoming holidays, and to be real, just about every day. You don’t have to pour out your alcohol, or leave it behind at your friend’s house. Greg as long as you have the opened container in the trunk, locked glove box or behind the last row of seats if there’s no trunk compartment. Keep in mind this is not an endorsement for adults partaking in alcoholic beverages just helping you understand the law, if you have an open container keep it secured away from the driver and all passengers in the vehicle.

 

Todd from Port Neches asks- Officer, my wife and I desperately need your knowledge in your field of expertise on the laws of Texas regarding driving a motor vehicle. My wife and I travel to Houston at least 2 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. Officer Antoine, how am I supposed to drive if EVERYONE is speeding??

 

Answer- Good question Todd- Speeding in a motor vehicle is one of the most common traffic violations committed daily on the roads of Texas. Now Todd, keep in mind that just because everyone else is speeding, it doesn’t 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. Todd, 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. I always pose this question when asked about this, if everyone was stealing out of a store, is it Ok for you to steal because 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 Todd, the state of Texas and I side with your wife on this issue.

 

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 at least 2 hours from 1to 3 p.m. and beyond. 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 at www.ksapthebreeze.org. Feel free to call in and ask your question live to Officer Antoine at (409) 982-0247. Feel free 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.”