Texas Debates Merits Of Mandatory DUI Checkpoints

Texas legislators remain steadfastly opposed (for the most part) to any efforts to issue a state wide ban on distracted driving or the use of handheld devices by drivers, but they are seriously considering making sobriety check points mandatory across the state. This seems odd, especially considering recent reports which show that distracted driving is now responsible for more traffic fatalities than driving under the influence of alcohol. It also seems to fly in the face of their previous arguments against a statewide ban on distracted driving that these matters are best left to be decided by municipalities; statewide laws go too far. The legislators are also considering allowing police to conduct more "No Refusal Weekends" which means that drivers requested by police to submit to a sobriety test must submit or face suspension of their driving privileges. These tools have proven very effective for police in the past but they are limited to how often they can conduct them. The Texas legislators are now seriously considering allow them to conduct them at will or as needed in an effort to force more drivers to sober up before getting behind the wheel. Texas has seen a slight decline in the number of drunk drivers in recent years but it still sees far more drunk drivers than any other state. Texas has wrestled with a populace which has seen so much drunk driving they seem inured to it; unwilling or incapable of changing the majority. The recent legislative push was brought about by public outcry from those who do see the issue as a statewide problem. In fact, Mothers Against Drunk Driving has been very vocal in their support of a more vigorous approach to enforcement of existing laws and enabling police to better do their jobs when it comes to getting drunk drivers off the street.

Texas Pile-Up Blamed On Weather (And Truckers)

Texas Highway Patrol Investigators continue to figure out what led to the huge 140-car pile-up on I-10 close to Beaumont, Texas, last week. Early reports suggest an 18-wheeler smacked into the back of an SUV, which sadly resulted in the loss of two lives in that vehicle and started the gigantic chain reaction crash. Weather conditions at the time were also a factor with drivers reporting fog thick as "pea soup" and the speed limit on that stretch of highway was 70-mph with just about everyone driving at the maximum allowed by law. The combination of poor visibility and speed were definitely contributing factors and police were take all these things into consideration as they work toward identifying a single cause (if they can find one, and if there was one.) A lot of attention has been paid to the dangers of distracted driving, and everyone understands the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol (or at least they should) but in nearly every single fatal crash in the nation, year after year, speed is also involved. Drivers are usually traveling at speeds which are unsafe for the driving conditions, whether it is dark (at night), there are foggy roads or there is precipitation or icy/snowy roads. Defensive driving is all about being cautious before you need to be. It's easy to slow down when you see an accident in front of you, but it takes careful, safe pre-emptive actions to avoid being involved in an accident in the first place. It starts by watching your speed and driving in accordance with the conditions around you. If you don't if you ignore safe driving practices in favor of getting where you are going just a few minutes earlier (which you will likely spend getting gas any way) you run the risk of being involved in a serious, perhaps fatal crash. The choice is yours.

Texas Driver Doesn’t Stop After Collision With Recliner

A Texas driver found out the tough way that hitting something on the highway means pulling over to make sure your car isn't busted. It's smart to let the cops know right away if there's a big thing blocking the road, especially if it's something like a recliner. That's the lesson learned by a Texas driver who struck a recliner on Interstate 45 in Texas City on Sunday. The driver has not been identified but police say he was northbound in a Mercedes-Benz when he collided with the recliner. Police say the man did not stop, nor did he notify authorities there was something in the road. He continued on his way until other drivers began urging him to pull over because the side of his vehicle was on fire. That's when the man stopped, saw the fire and called police. Texas police are investigating the entire incident as an "accident" but have not yet said where the recliner came from or who the driver of the Mercedes was. The lesson to be learned is quite simple: If you collide with something on the road do yourself a favor and stop to check that your vehicle is ok. It might seem like a minor collision, and indeed might have been a minor collision, but it is difficult to determine if your vehicle has been damaged unless you stop to check. If you are on a busy roadway, pull over safely away from other vehicles before you check. If there is an obstacle in the roadway be certain you contact police and advise them about what the obstacle is and where it is located so it can be moved and further collisions can be avoided. Just pretending the collision never happened and going on about your business leaves you at risk for suffering further damage down the road. It also does nothing to alleviate the dangers for others drivers who have not yet happened upon the impediment.

Texas Lawmakers Take Another Look At Distracted Driving

Texas remains one of just a handful of states without some sort of ban on distracted driving. State lawmakers have repeatedly resisted efforts to enact a statewide ban on the use of handheld devices by drivers, instead allowing individual communities to pass laws pertaining only to drivers in their area. This has led to a patchwork of distracted driving laws around the state, some more severe than others, and still some areas with no laws limiting distracted driving at all. Now it appears Texas state legislators are taking another look at a statewide ban on distracted driving. Their efforts were likely spurred by numerous driver complaints and petitions signed by residents throughout the state. There is a wealth of evidence from both the Centers for Disease Control and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the risk of having a vehicle collision is greatly increased when a driver is distracted. Both these groups also found a direct connection between most distracted driving crashes and the drivers use a handheld device. This evidence was enough to prompt most states to immediately amend state law to forbid drivers from engaging in overtly dangerous behaviors such as texting while driving, or surfing the web or updating their social media networks. Other states have gone as far as forbidding drivers from talking on their cell phones while driving without a hands-free device (such as Bluetooth) while still others have forbidden the use of a cell phone for any reason while driving. There has been some debate about whether or not distracted driving is now actually more dangerous than drunk driving, but nobody argues that it is dangerous and that the number of vehicle collisions linked to distracted driving have increased tremendously in the last few years. It will take months for Texas legislators to work out the details of what sort of state law they propose and then the issue will need to be approved by both houses and go before the governor before it is enacted. Until then Texas drivers will need to take their chances and be aware of the local laws in the areas where they are driving so they don't run afoul of a municipal law meant to fill the gap where state law lacks.

Texas Drivers: Beware Of Low Flying Aircraft

Prepare for the unexpected! Frank Laudo was driving a black SUV on a private road which runs alongside a small private airport just outside Dallas,Texas, as the pilot of a small Cessna aircraft was approaching the airport to make a landing. The private road has the word "STOP" painted clearly on its surface and drivers are supposed to stop and watch for small planes before continuing, however Laudo said he did not see the airplane, and he failed to stop. Seconds after crossing the "STOP" sign, Laudo's vehicle was struck by the Cessna. His vehicle was heavily damaged as was the Cessna. Laudo suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. A passenger in Laudo's vehicle, Heather Laudo, was not injured, and the pilot of the Cessna was able to make a safe landing on the belly of the plane after losing his landing gear in the crash. The owner of the airport property does not own any of the property surrounding the airport including the private road. He told local reporters he has tried unsuccessfully to buy the private road so he could better enforce traffic rules requiring vehicles to stop. According to him, Laudo was not the first driver to ignore (or fail to notice) the "STOP" painted clearly on the roadway. Defensive drivers everywhere know the importance of observing and following all street signs-whether they are on poles, walls, bridges, or the pavement right in front of them. It only takes one small mistake to create conditions perfect for an accident. In this case nobody was hurt, but if the vehicle had been traveling just a bit faster, or the plane had been just a few inches lower, someone might have been. This is hardly the first airplane vs car vehicle accident, and likely it won't be the last. So stay alert, be aware because airplanes are everywhere!

Collision, Rollover Crash In First Week Of Texas Roadway

Texas grabbed attention as the "Fastest State In The Union" by unveiling a 41-mile toll road boasting an 85 mph speed limit last week. This move stirred up chatter among traffic safety experts, who weren't all on the same page about letting folks zip nearly 30 miles per hour quicker than usual. But let's face it, nobody had a clear picture of what would happen. Now, the buzzing excitement around this bold road experiment has everyone guessing what the future holds for drivers and speed limits. Now that the road has been open for one full week, traffic safety experts are already compiling the numbers and so far, they are questionable. For instance, in less than one week the road has already seen its first roll-over crash, but the Texas Highway Patrol said that crash does not seem to have been caused by the speed of the driver. More shocking are the collisions involving vehicles and animals crossing the road. Although no one has been injured as a result of those crashes, Texas Highway Patrol has seen vehicles collide with two feral hogs and a deer in just one week since the highway opened. Texas State Highway 130, which has the 41-mile stretch of toll road with a posted 85 mph speed limit is mean to offer drivers an alternative to Interstate 35 which is a heavily congested stretch of Texas roadway. Some drivers have reported they prefer paying for the privilege of driving at a faster clip on a less congested roadway, but whether or not the road actually results in an improvement in traffic conditions in the area only time will tell. For now Texas will retain its title as the "Fastest State In The Union." Utah has a posted speed limit of 80 mph, but no signs that state legislators there will approve any increase in that top speed. For now, Texas drivers who use the new toll road need to remember they are not only having to contend with traveling at a faster rate, but also with any obstacles which might wander into the road ahead. In Texas that means feral hogs, deer and possibly any number of opossum's, armadillos or raccoons.

Texas Drivers Prep For 85 mph Limit

I'm sorry, but I need the text you want rephrased in order to assist you. Could you please provide the text? On Wednesday some Texas drivers will get an opportunity to text the limits of their high-speed driving skills when the nation's first roadway with an 85 mph limit will officially open for business. That's right, 85 mph. Drivers on a 40-mile stretch of the Texas 130 toll road bypassing Austin's east side will open with an 85-mph speed limit this week. Many eyes will be turned toward Texas over the next few weeks as traffic safety experts look to see how well drivers handle the new limit. If it works as well as the Texas Department of Transportation hopes it will when it comes to alleviating traffic congestion in the area it seems likely speed limits in other areas, on other roads, will also be raised. The idea of setting a toll road speed limit higher than the national average (some roads in Montana have a limit of 80 mph) was heavily debated. The idea was to offer drivers a direct by-pass route with a higher speed limit and help offset the cost of this roadway by making it a toll road. Initially hopes were high that the new road would be an instant money-maker for the state, but opinions since then have been decidedly mixed. Truckers, for one, have said they would have little interest in paying to use the new road because the time they would save would hardly offset the costs they would incur as a result. Traffic safety experts, too, have questioned whether allowing drivers to travel at such high rates of speed is a good idea. Although much has been said about the dangers of distracted driving and drinking and driving, just about every fatal vehicle collision on record had the drivers speed as a contributing factor. If speed kills, and we know that it does, then it seems the new Texas toll road is starting out with one strike against it.

How to Sell a Car in Texas

If you are planning on selling a vehicle in Texas, you will have to fill out some paperwork. Sweat the subtleties of the transaction now and you won’t have to deal with them down the road.

With nearly 30 million residents and over 26 million registered vehicles, Texas is one of the largest car markets in the United States. As such, ensuring that the sale of a vehicle is smooth and legally compliant is essential for both the seller and the buyer.

However, Filing a Vehicle Transfer Notification within 30 days of the sale is crucial to protect the seller from being held responsible for any parking tickets or toll violations incurred by the new owner.

Let’s look at the paperwork that must be submitted to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to officially transfer ownership of your vehicle. We’ll also touch on additional documents necessary to sell a vehicle in Texas.

Preparing to Sell Your Car in Texas

Before listing your car for sale, it is important to prepare the vehicle and ensure it is in good condition for potential buyers. The following steps will help you get started:

1. Clean and Inspect the Vehicle

First impressions matter, and potential buyers are more likely to consider a well-maintained and clean vehicle. Clean both the exterior and interior of the car thoroughly, paying attention to detailing, removing personal items, and ensuring the vehicle is presentable.

• Exterior: Wash and wax the car, ensuring there is no visible damage or major scratches.
• Interior: Vacuum and clean the upholstery, dashboard and any surfaces that may have accumulated dirt.
• Mechanical Inspection: Conduct a basic vehicle inspection or visit a mechanic to ensure that the car is in proper working order. Address any minor repairs that could increase the value of the vehicle.

2. Determine the Value of Your Car

To set a fair and competitive price for your vehicle, you will need to determine its market value. Several factors influence a car’s value, including its make, model, year, mileage, condition, and the current demand for similar vehicles in Texas.

You can use online tools such as Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to get an estimated value of your car. Alternatively, visiting dealerships for a trade-in offer can also provide a benchmark for pricing.

Additional Documents Necessary to Sell a Car in Texas

As a seller of a vehicle, you must provide specific documents to the buyer. These documents include the bill of sale, a valid vehicle title, the completed title assignment with signature and odometer disclosure.

Additionally, the motor vehicle sales tax is a mandatory fee for individuals purchasing a vehicle from a private seller. The sales tax is calculated based on either the purchase price or the vehicle's standard presumptive value.

Be sure to make copies of these documents to store in your records. You never know if any technical or legal challenges will pop up in the future.

At this point, it is the buyer’s responsibility to complete the remainder of the required documents and pay the fee necessary to register the vehicle in his name in the state of Texas.

Gathering Paperwork and Documentation

Gathering all necessary paperwork and documentation is essential when selling a car in Texas. You’ll need to provide the buyer with a signed title, a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR), and a Bill of Sale. Make sure to fill out the original title correctly, including the odometer reading and sales price. You’ll also need to provide proof of liability insurance and a registration sticker. If you’re selling to a dealer, you may not need to provide all of these documents, but it’s still important to have them ready.

Title Transfer

The state of Texas requires that your vehicle’s title be transferred to the new owner. To make this transfer, you must fill out the title assignment found on the back of your vehicle’s official title certificate.

If you fail to perform a legal title transfer when selling your car, there will be consequences. As an example, it is possible that you will be held responsible for subsequent crimes and violations committed in the vehicle.

In Texas selling or trading in a vehicle to a dealer, the vehicle stays in the seller's name until it is ultimately sold to an individual. Therefore, it is crucial to file a Vehicle Transfer Notification to protect yourself from liability for any actions taken with the vehicle by the new owner before the title is officially transferred.

It is prudent to go to the nearest county tax office with the vehicle buyer to guarantee that the application for the new vehicle title is filed. If you need a certified copy of your automobile’s title from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, fill out the VTR-34 form. You can download this form from the DMV’s online library of forms.

Supplemental Material That Will Help You Sell Your Vehicle in Texas

Texas has nuanced laws concerning vehicle efficiency and safety. Therefore, many buyers ask sellers for an in-depth vehicle history report before agreeing to a sale. Such a report provides information about the vehicle ranging from prior accidents to major repairs, odometer alteration and/or instances of theft.

If you have endured any sort of accident, consider enrolling in a TX driving safety course. This course will enhance your defensive driving skills. Such a course might reduce your automobile insurance rate. It is even possible that this course will remove points from your driving record after a speeding ticket or other violation.

Have your vehicle history report on-hand so you can show it to the buyer immediately after he requests it. Furthermore, having the vehicle history report on-hand makes it that much easier to market your vehicle and ask the highest possible price.

Steps to Complete the Sale

Once your car is prepared for sale and the legally required documents are gathered, you can proceed with the sale process.

1. Find a Buyer

There are several ways to find a buyer for your vehicle. You can choose to sell the car privately through online listings, trade it in at a dealership, or sell it to a car-buying service. When selling privately, consider advertising the car on platforms such as Craigslist, Autotrader, or Facebook Marketplace to reach a wider audience.

2. Negotiate and Finalize the Sale

After finding a potential buyer, it’s time to negotiate the sale price. Ensure that the agreed-upon price reflects the condition of the car and the market value. Once a deal is reached, both parties must sign the Title Transfer and other necessary documents.

The buyer will need to register the vehicle in their name with the Texas DMV, but as the seller, you must ensure that the Title Application (Form 130-U) and the Odometer Disclosure are completed accurately.

3. Transfer of Ownership

To legally transfer ownership of the vehicle, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Sign the Title: As the seller, you must sign the back of the title and provide the buyer with the original copy. Ensure that the odometer reading and buyer’s information are filled out.
• Submit a Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346): This form is submitted to the Texas DMV and notifies the state that you are no longer the owner of the vehicle. This step is critical to protect you from future liabilities, such as toll charges or traffic violations, after the sale.
• Provide a Bill of Sale (Optional): While not mandatory, the bill of sale can be used for record-keeping and as a safeguard for both parties.

4. Transfer the License Plates and Registration Sticker

You must remove the license plates from your vehicle before the buyer accepts the keys and drives off. It is possible to transfer these license plates to another vehicle you own. Reach out to your nearest county tax assessor collector's office for details on such a transfer.

Additionally, don’t forget to cancel your insurance policy on the sold vehicle. Contact your insurance provider to terminate coverage once the sale is complete.

Taxes and Fees for Selling a Car in Texas

The buyer is responsible for paying the title transfer fee and state sales tax on the purchase of the vehicle. As the seller, you do not have to pay these taxes, but it's important to inform the buyer of these obligations. In Texas, the sales tax is 6.25% of the sales price or the vehicle's standard presumptive value (whichever is higher).

Don't Forget the Bill of Sale!

It is necessary to document the actual sale of your vehicle. The transaction is recorded on a “bill of sale”. This document should include all essential information about the seller, the buyer, the automobile and the agreed sale price.

Sign and date the bill of sale and request that the buyer does the same. Make copies for yourself and the buyer. Keep this document in your records as it is proof of the vehicle sale transaction.

Conclusion

Selling a car in Texas requires careful attention to documentation and state regulations. By following this guide, you can ensure a smooth and legal transaction, protecting both yourself and the buyer. With thorough preparation and attention to detail, selling your car in Texas can be a straightforward and stress-free process.

Texas Prepared For Aged Drivers

Expect a near tripling in the number of Texas drivers aged 65 and older over the coming decades, which means the Texas Department of Transportation must prepare. Ready for what? That's the $64,000 question. Certainly it is no secret that as we age our physical abilities may decline. But physicians and driving safety experts say that doesn't mean older drivers are unsafe drivers. And they are also not in agreement on what steps can be taken to make driving easier for them. There has been a great deal of discussion already about who is responsible for making the decisions about when a driver might be "too old" to safely operate a motor vehicle. Some say physicians should make that call as they know their patients best and can make an educated decisions about whether or not that person safely operate a motor vehicle. Others think the decisions is best left to family members who can and should make that ultimate decision. Adding to this discussion is a recent report by the which indicates that fatal crashes per mile driven “increase noticeably starting at age 70-74.” The state of Texas already has a different set of requirements for older drivers than for younger drivers: after age 85 senior drivers have to get their licenses renewed every two years instead of every six, and everyone who is 79 or older has to do it in person instead of by mail or online. This can help the state make a more informed decision about the abilities of each specific driver. It is possible the continued surge in senior drivers might make state legislators take another look at driving requirements for seniors. It also means they will need to look at roads, bridges and other pieces of the transportation infrastructure to see what other accommodations can be made.

Texas Drivers Paying (Mighty) For The Privilege

Texas is known for a lot of things, but here’s a kicker you might not expect: everything’s grander there, even the costs that drivers fork out to keep their wheels rolling on state roads, highways, and bridges. In fact, a new study by TRIP, a national transportation research group, Texas drivers pay more than $20 billion every year to keep driving in the state. This money is not straight out of pocket for tolls, fines, or fees. It comes in the form of wasted fuel due to traffic congestion and delays, and lost wages and productivity from being late to wherever they are going (like work.) Statewide nearly half of all Texas roads were found to be deficient in some way according to the TRIP report. It was more pronounced in major urban metropolitan areas than rural small towns with cities like Houston and San Antonio seeing the 'cost' for driving skyrocket to more than a thousand dollars a year. State legislators have been trying to rectify this problem by funding major transportation initiatives in the state, but driving safety advocates say these modernization attempts are only going to satisfy the drivers using state roads today, not the thousands, possibly millions, of new drivers who will hit the roads in the coming years. It is an ongoing problem, maintaining roads and bridges for common use and states have struggled to keep up with the issue for decades. In Texas the problem is clearly costing taxpayers--drivers, at least--big bucks.The problems are obvious but the solutions are more nebulous. For anyone driving in the state of Texas the best idea is always to plan your route ahead. If your usual route proves to be congested or full of delays, consider finding an alternate route or some alternate form of transportation. Remember, defensive drivers know that patience is a virtue they need to have in good supply. Getting frustrated behind the wheel is only going to cost you more money farther down the road.

TxDOT Turns To Video In Drunk Driving Fight

Educational researchers have proven that some people are auditory learners, some are practical learners and still others are visual learners. It is this latter group which is the focus of the most effort by the Texas Department of Transportation to convince people not to drink and drive. The TxDOT is now releasing a new video aimed directly at Hispanic drivers, in an effort to explain the dangers and potential repercussions of driving drunk.

The Spanish-language video features DWI testimonials from Hispanic drivers convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in Texas. The educational video is designed to resonate with recently immigrated and first-generation Hispanics in particular; research suggests they may be less likely to know about DWI laws because they may come from countries where DWI laws are different or are not enforced consistently. TxDOT is sharing the video with organizations such as AVANCE and foreign consulates as well as Spanish-language driver's education and alcohol awareness courses. "TxDOT's goal is to increase awareness among the Hispanic community about the dangers of drinking and driving. We want to make sure that more people know that driving under the influence of alcohol is never acceptable," said Carol Rawson, director, Traffic Operations Division of TxDOT.

There is good reason for the specific focus on Hispanic drivers in the state. According to recent statistics Hispanic drivers represent a greater risk when it comes to drunk driving, and as an increasing percentage of the state population, TxDOT is targeting what it sees as a high risk demographic.

Houston Considers Major Highway Round-A-Bout

Traffic circles, or roundabouts, pop up everywhere in the Northeastern United States and dominate intersections in Europe. Yet, they're still a rare sight in the Midwest or anywhere west of the Mississippi. This has more to do with the trepidation of voters than it does with the facts. The fact is traffic circles alleviate traffic congestion and produce safer intersections for everyone. Because of their nature, traffic does not stop at a round-a-bout, but rather proceeds forward cautiously, so cars never need to stop. The lack of round-a-bouts in the United States might change dramatically if the city of Houston finds a way to make one around their city. Not only would it be the first round-a-bout in Houston, it would the first to link major interstate highways. The idea, if eventually approved, would line interstates 10 or 45, or U.S. 59, around the downtown area. Drivers would never leave their respective interstate, but instead travel around the circle to exit in their desired direction. The idea is meant to alleviate traffic congestion and decrease the time required to reach downtown Houston, or by-pass it completely.

The Texas Department of Transportation stresses the preliminary nature of the idea, saying that studies may prove it's not even feasible. But it is one of the "innovative" solutions the agency is floating as transportation leaders realize using the state's limited funds to build more and more roads isn't the best or only way to solve congestion in Texas' major cities. "That is currently on the table with a universe of options," Raquelle Lewis, transportation department spokeswoman in Houston, said of the Texas-sized roundabout.

Brownsville Safest Texas City For Driving

Brownsville now wears the crown as the safest city for drivers in Texas, according to the latest Allstate Insurance Company's report titled "America’s Best Drivers Report." It sits at the 25th spot overall, nudging out Laredo from last year's top place in Texas. The four years prior to Laredo being named "safest driving city in Texas" Brownsville was top-ranked in the state, so it's a coming home of sorts for the city which has strengthened distracted driving laws and has a reputation for zero tolerance of drunk drivers.

Brownsville ranked 25th nationwide, coming in ahead of last year’s top city in Texas, Laredo, which maintained its position at 28. Prior to 2011, Brownsville held the top spot for four straight years. According to the report, the average driver in Brownsville will experience an auto collision every 11.4 years, compared to a national average of 10.0 years. Other Texas cities beating the national average include Laredo, McAllen, Amarillo and Lubbock....For the past eight years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claims data to determine the likelihood drivers in America’s 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2009 to December 2010) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.

The report is certainly good news for Brownsville, Texas, residents, who can brag about their safety to their neighbors in the next town over. But what it really seems to indicate is that safety needs to improve statewide. Texas boasts some of the most populous cities in the nation (Dallas, Houston, Ft Worth) yet not one made it into the top 20, much less the top 5. Armed with this latest report we would hope to see further vigilance and public education information concerning the importance of safe driving for residents all across Texas.

TxDMV Suspends Listening Tour Because Nobody Was Listening

In an effort to solicit public input on their services and policies, the Texas Department of Transportation embarked on a statewide campaign they dubbed 'Listening Tours.' The idea was to get as much input as possible from the citizens they served. The idea was sound and they put a great deal of effort into it. The only problem was that hardly anybody showed up to offer any input. There is a silver lining to the lack attendance, accord to one TxDMV employee: There must not be a widespread problem with what they have been doing so far. The TxDMV said it will re-evaluate its public input process and likely try a different approach sometime in the future.

"We still want to hear from you," says TxDMV Board Chairman Victor Vandergriff. "We want you to know that you have a voice in shaping the state's newest agency." Vandergriff said holding listening tours across the state was not proving a good use of taxpayer dollars. "We were happy to travel to these cities to meet with the public in person, but we do not want to tie up TxDMV staff time and pay travel expenses if attendance is showing us we can better use those resources to serve the motoring public and industry in other ways." The first sessions seem to indicate the motoring public does not have a collective pressing issue with the agency. "That's the good news," Vandergriff said.

Texas Drivers: Here’s Your Sign

The Texas Department of Transportation sure means business after checking out a recent traffic safety audit. This report shows that even though traffic deaths have dropped across the state over the last five years, they still hang way over the national average. The five year decline in Texas traffic fatalities was about 15 percent, while the decline nationwide was more than 21 percent. This information has prompted the Texas department of Transportation to resort to scare tactics to convince drivers to slow down and use caution whether they are making a quick trip to the supermarket or heading across the county. Starting this week the Texas Department of Transportation will begin installing 700 illuminated road signs which will display the current number of highway traffic fatalities in the state. The signs will be mounted over highways and along busy thoroughfares across the state.

"As long as we have a single traffic death we have more work to do. We think that displaying the number of people that have died in traffic crashes to date will have a direct impact on driving behavior. We want to make sure that people arrive at their intended destination safely every time," said said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director.

It also seems likely that police are aware of the problem facing state safety officials and will step up their efforts at reminding drivers to use caution when driving anywhere.

Texas Traffic Deaths Down, But Still Too High

In Texas, the number of traffic deaths has fallen around 15 percent over the last five years, although they remain above the national average. According to a Texas State Audit issued by the Texas Department of Transportation recently, the state had 3,028 traffic deaths following 234 billion miles of driving. That is equal to about 1.23 deaths per 100 million miles driven, the formulation used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for determining how safe a road is to drive on. The death rate in 2006 was 1.5 per every 100 million miles driven in Texas and has fallen consistently every year since then. In 2006, by comparison, the death rate was 1.5 deaths per 100 million miles traveled in Texas. The rate fell every year between 2006 and 2010. Meanwhile the nation rate, during that same period, fell to a low of 1.11 in 2010 (the last year with available figures. That is a decline of almost 22 percent, far greater than has been seen in Texas during the same time period. As drivers and the vehicles they operate become safer, the expectation is that traffic fatalities will decline. While there are signs that is what is happening, situations such as the higher traffic fatality rate on Texas roads versus the national average have some public safety officials wondering if enough is being done to not only stem the tide of roadway deaths, but educate drivers about just how much their driving matters. The My Improv Online Traffic School focuses on defensive driving and reminds drivers that safety matters most when it comes to how they drive. Even a short trip to the grocery store can suddenly turn deadly if a driver loses focus on what their priorities are behind the wheel. It seems likely that in light of this recent audit by the Texas Department of Transportation that police will step up their efforts to remind drivers "safety first" possibly through the use of increased patrols and most definitely through the use of deterrents to bad driving behavior such as traffic citations.