Information
to Remember on Traffic Stops |
Please
keep in mind when you are signaled to pull over by an officer that
law enforcement can be dangerous work. Do not assume the officer
knows that you are a law abiding citizen, officers must be cautious
at all times.
When signaled to pull over:
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Pull
over as far to the right as safely possible. This allows the
officer to more safely walk to your car. On a freeway, you
may pull over to the left.
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Turn
off the ignition.
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Turn
on the interior light if the stop occurs at night.
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Place
your hands on the steering wheel until the officer can make
a safety evaluation as approaching your car.
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Avoid
making any sudden or reaching movements.
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Please
stay in your vehicle unless asked by the officer to exit your
car.
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If you
are carrying a weapon, advise the officer of the weapon and
the location.
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Always
follow the officer's instructions.
Stopping
at night, especially along a dark stretch of road, can heighten
the tension for you and the officer. Officers do not object to
a driver proceeding to the nearest well-lit area. Simply acknowledge
the officer by turning on your flashers and drive at a reduced
speed.
If
asked to exit the vehicle, walk to the rear of your vehicle to
the side away from traffic, or as directed by the officer. Use
the vehicle as a barrier between you and on-coming cars.
The
officer will ask for two pieces of information: your driver's
license and insurance card.
Please
do not attempt to argue with the officer. This may increase the
tension in an already stressful situation. Depending on the reason
the officer initiated the traffic stop, you may or may not be
given a citation. If you receive a citation, you will be advised
of your options in making a disposition of the citation.
Once
the traffic stop is finished, walk carefully back to your vehicle
watching on-coming traffic. When an opportunity exists, carefully
merge back into the flow of traffic.
Passing
Authorized Emergency Vehicle
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A
law went into effect September 2003 that makes it a violation
to pass certain stationary emergency vehicles on a highway. Transportation
Code Section 545.157 states that on approaching a stationary authorized
emergency vehicle using visual signals, an operator of a vehicle,
unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall vacate the
lane closest to the emergency vehicle when driving on a highway
with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency
vehicle; or slow to a speed not to exceed 20 miles miles per hour
less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is
25 miles per hour or more; or five miles per hour when the posted
speed limit is less than 25 miles per hour.
The
Texas Transportation Code is the guide for reporting
accidents. Section 550.022 makes it the driver's responsibility
to immediately stop the vehicle involved in an accident that has
caused damage to another vehicle and comply with Section 550.023.
If the vehicles are drivable and there has been no injuries, the
drivers may move the vehicles out of traffic and exchange information.
However, if anyone is injured, immediately call (or have someone
else call) for an ambulance and police to make the scene.
Section 550.023
requires the driver of the vehicle involved in an accident resulting
in injury or death of a person, or damage to a vehicle, to give
the following information to the person in the other vehicle:
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their
name and address
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registration
number (license plate) of the vehicle being driven
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name
of liability insurer
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their
driver's license if requested and available
Section
550.023 also places the responsibility of providing reasonable assistance
to anyone injured on the driver of the vehicle that caused damage
to the other vehicle.
If the operator
of a vehicle doesn't have or show the required information, the
police should be called to make a report.
If the operators
make the decision to settle out of pocket, they have entered into
a civil agreement which the police will not be able to mediate.
If attempts to collect for the damage are rebuffed, the driver
of the damaged vehicle may hire an attorney to file a lawsuit,
try the case in small claims court or simply file under their
own insurance company for uninsured/underinsured motorists.
When in doubt, call the police.
Play
It Safe While Having Summer Fun
From the Star Telegram City Page, May 3, 2004
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With
the summer vacation just around the corner, many youth will take
to the streets for fun and games. But don’t let your teen’s
summer games result in citation, or worse, harm.
Recently,
the Fort Worth Police Department has received several complaints
about portable basketball goals blocking residential traffic.
In stepping up enforcement, police found a total of 84 portable
basketball goals in violation. Two of these goals were cemented
into the ground or curb line on the city easement and without
a permit.
The city
reminds residents that it is against city code and Texas Transportation
Code to place goals in easements, rights of way and roadways because
they increase the chance of auto-pedestrian accidents. Owners
of such structures could receive a citation and, in some cases,
police may impound the goal.
Parents and
guardians are encouraged to remind their children to put safety
first. Fun and games in the street easily can result in youth
being struck by an automobile.
To report
a violation, contact your Neighborhood Police Officer (NPO) or
go to www.fortworthpd.com.
For more
information, call the Fort Worth Police Department at (817) 392-4000.
Motor
Assisted Scooters and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles
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(This information
comes from the Texas Department of Public Safety website. To view
the entire section, go to the DPS website at www.txdps.state.tx.us
The law
regulating motor assisted scooters and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles
for limited street usage can be found in the Texas Transportation
Code (TRC) as Subchapter D, Sections 551.301 and 551.302.
Motor
assisted scooters
Traffic
laws which apply to bicycles also apply to motor assisted scooters
and the operator must obey the usual traffic laws that bicycle
operators must obey such as speed limit, signal turns, etc. TRC
551.302(d) states that some laws that apply to a motor vehicle
do not apply to these scooters:
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the scooter
operator doesn't need a driver license,
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the
scooter operator doesn't need liability insurance,
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the
scooter doesn't have to be registered or have a license plate,
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the
scooter doesn't have to carry a low speed vehicle emblem;
and,
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the
scooter doesn't have to be inspected.
Cities and
counties may prohibit operation of these scooters on particular
streets or highways for safety reasons, as can the Texas Department
of Transportation (TXDOT).
Neighborhood
Electric Vehicle
The "neighborhood electric vehicle" is any
vehicle subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500.
They generally resemble a golf cart, but are larger-usually capable
of carrying four passengers-with a top speed between 20 M.P.H.
and 25 M.P.H. Vehicles such as the John Deere Gator and Kawasaki
Mule are not neighborhood electric vehicles because they are not
subject to Federal Standard 500 in that they are designed to primarily
carry cargo rather than passengers.
Like the
motor assisted scooter, neighborhood electric vehicles can be
driven on any street or highway with a posted speed limit of 35
M.P.H. or less, and may cross streets or highways with a higher
posted speed limit. However, unlike the motor assisted scooter,
a neighborhood electric vehicle must:
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be registered
and have a license plate,
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the operator
must have a driver license and the vehicle or operator must
be covered with the required liability insurance or acceptable
substitute, and
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these
vehicles meet the TRC Section 547.001 definition of a "slow
moving vehicle," so they must carry a low speed vehicle
emblem.
Cities and
counties may prohibit operation of these vehicles on particular
streets or highways for safety reasons, as can the Texas Department
of Transportation (TXDOT).
Sec.
23-8. Noise.
(a) Definitions.
Unreasonable noise shall mean:
(1) Any unreasonably loud, disturbing, and unnecessary
noise which causes material distress, discomfort or injury to
persons of ordinary sensibilities in the immediate vicinity thereof;
or
(2) Any noise of such character, intensity and continued
duration, which substantially interferes with the comfortable
enjoyment of private homes by persons of ordinary sensibilities.
(b) Violations.
(1) All unreasonable noise is declared to be a nuisance
and is hereby unlawful and prohibited.
(2) Noise created by the following acts is presumed
to be unreasonable, but such enumerated acts shall not be deemed
to be exclusive:
a. Musical instruments. The playing
of any radio, phonograph or other musical instrument in such manner
or with such volume, particularly during the hours between 10:00
p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort
or repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities in any dwelling,
hotel or other type of residence.
b. Loudspeakers and amplifiers.
The use of any stationary loudspeaker or amplifier of such intensity
that annoys and disturbs persons of ordinary sensibilities in
the immediate vicinity thereof; the use of any stationary loudspeaker
or amplifier operated on any weekday between the hours of 10:30
p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or at any time on Sunday; provided, however,
that it shall be a defense to prosecution under this subsection
for operating such loudspeakers and amplifiers at such hours on
weekdays or on Sunday that the same were operated at a public
event on property owned by the city and advance permission for
such operation was obtained from the park and recreation director
of the city.
c. Animals and birds. The keeping
of any animal or bird which, by causing frequent or long-continued
noise, shall disturb the comfort and repose of any person of ordinary
sensibilities in the immediate vicinity.
d. Horns or other signal devices
on vehicles. The continued or frequent sounding of any horn or
signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle
except as a danger or warning signal; the creation by means of
any such signal device of any unreasonably loud or harsh device
for any unnecessary and unreasonable period of time.
e. Operation of vehicles. The running
of any automobile, motorcycle or vehicle so out of repair, so
loaded or in such manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating,
grinding, jarring or rattling noise or vibrations.
f. Steam whistles. The blowing
of any steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler except
to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning
of danger.
g. Exhaust without mufflers. The
discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine,
stationary internal combustion engine, motor vehicle or boat engine
except through a muffler or other device, which will effectively
prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
h. Devices operated by compressed
air. The use of any mechanical device operated by compressed air,
unless the noise to be created is effectively muffled and reduced.
i. Construction work. Noise created
by construction activities within three hundred (300) feet of
an occupied residential structure, involving the erection of,
including excavation of, demolition of, alteration to, or repair
work on any building, structure, or flatwork before 7:00 a.m.
or after 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, before 9:00 a.m. or
after 8:00 p.m. Saturday, or any time on Sunday.
j. Near schools and hospitals.
The creation of any excessive noise on any street adjacent to
any school or institution of learning while the same is in session
or adjacent to any hospital which unreasonably interferes with
the workings of such institutions, provided conspicuous signs
are displayed in such manner indicating that the same is a school
or hospital street.
k. Loading and unloading vehicles,
etc. The creation of any loud and excessive noise in connection
with the loading or unloading of any vehicle or the opening and
destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers.
l. Peddlers, hawkers, etc.
The raucous shouting and crying of peddlers, hawkers and vendors,
which disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
m. Use of drums, etc., to attract
attention. The use of any drum, loudspeaker or other instrument
or device for the purpose of attracting attention, by the creation
of noise, to any performance, show or sale of merchandise.
n. Railroads. The blowing
or sounding of any steam whistle, horn or signal device on any
engine, locomotive car or vehicle adapted to the rails of a railroad
in the city, except as a warning or danger signal to persons or
animals approaching, crossing or using the tracks of the railroad,
shall constitute a violation of this section.
(c) Defense. It shall be a defense to prosecution under subsection
(b) that the noise created was reasonable under the totality of
the circumstances existing in each case.
(Code 1964, § 27-18; Ord. No. 8767, § 1, 3-29-83; Ord.
No. 15608, § 1, 7-8-03)
The
Texas Family Code Chapter 262, Subchapter D offers women a responsible
alternative to abandoning their newborns.
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The
mother may take the baby to any hospital, fire rescue station,
or emergency medical technician in the the state of Texas
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The
mother must give the baby to a person working at one of these
facilities
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The
infant may be up to 60 days old
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If
you leave your unharmed baby with an employee at a hospital,
fire station, or with an EMT, you will not be prosecuted for
abandonment or negligent.
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