Tag: Texas

Taking the driving test is stressful. We’re here to help.

 

Answer and explanations

How’d you do? Whether or not you passed with flying colors, it’s helpful to know WHY something is the way that it is. Here are the answers for this quiz:

1. At night, you should turn your high beam lights to low beam when…

Correct answer: All of the above

Explanation: High beams can reflect on precipitation in the air and make driving even more difficult. They also can have a blinding effect on other drivers, so it’s best to turn your high beams off whenever you are approaching another driver – both from in front and behind.

2. Areas of the road you cannot see in your mirrors are called _________.

Correct answer: Blind spots

Explanation: These spots are not visible unless you turn your head to look in that direction. Newer cars have detection for blind spots that make them less dangerous.

3. When a vehicle’s tires leave contact with the road and rise on top of water, it is called ___________.

Correct answer: Hydroplaning

Explanation: Hydroplaning is when you lose control of the vehicle because the tires are not gripping the ground. This is most common in the first 30 minutes of rainfall. Though it is not called a “water scoot,” your car is basically scooting on water. Drifting is different in that the tires maintain contact and traction, but the centrifugal motion allows the car to pull to the side, going a different direction than the tires.

4. In Texas, you must have your lights on a half-hour after sunset until….

Correct answer: A half-hour before sunrise.

Explanation: Usually, this time is somewhat bright outside and the streets and other cars are visible even before the sun breaks over the horizon. It’s worth mentioning that keeping your lights on all day can further prevent accidents, but it is not the law, as in this case.

5. It is illegal to park within 15 feet of ___________.

Correct answer: A fire hydrant

Explanation: Fire trucks need to have access to a fire hydrant in an emergency. They cannot use their hose to put out flames without it. If your car is in the way, it is preventing firefighters from doing their jobs in a timely manner. In fires, every second counts. It is not illegal to park near houses or mailboxes, though the postal service may leave you a note to park elsewhere so they can reach the mailbox.

6. Before changing lanes, you should…

Correct answer: Check your mirrors and look over your right shoulder to the rear

Explanation: While you should be looking all around you for other vehicles, physically turning in all these directions is dangerous. Mirrors make it easy to see what’s happening around you. And, of course, there’s your blind spot, where you’ll have to turn around slightly to check.

7. Following too close behind a vehicle is known as ___________.

Correct answer: Tailgating

Explanation: Tailgating is dangerous, but highly common on the road. Be sure to keep your distance with the car in front of you, to give you enough stopping time should that vehicle slam on the brakes.

8. A broken yellow line allows you to…

Correct answer: Cross over into the opposing lane to pass a vehicle, if it is safe

Explanation: Sometimes, cars in front of you may be going under the speed limit and holding up traffic. A broken-yellow line allows you to pass them on the left if no one is coming toward you. This can be dangerous. Be sure you can see far enough ahead of you to make sure you have time to pass.

9. When approaching a flashing yellow light you should…

Correct answer: Slow down and approach with caution

Explanation: A flashing yellow light usually means there is other traffic or pedestrians you may have to slow down for. Even though they shouldn’t cause you to stop, being unwary could cause you to get in an accident.

10. On a roadway with 3+ lanes, which lane offers the smoothest flow of traffic?

Correct answer: The middle lane

Explanation: The right lane is dangerous because people are speeding up and slowing down for getting on and off the freeway. The left lane is the fast lane, and often has people going in and out passing others. The middle is usually more constant and steady.

Honestly, with America being a sprawling nation, it’s practical for different areas to have different driving laws. Some terrain requires different safety than others, some cities are prone to different (bad) driving habits, and people in different areas have different takes on what makes drivers safer.

With that in mind, there are some driving laws that are just plain wacky. Here are a few of our favorites.

Alabama

An old law says that drivers can go the wrong way on a one-way as long as they have a lantern attached to the front of the vehicle.

Arkansas

Don’t honk your horn at a sandwich shop in Little Rock – it’s illegal for drivers to honk “at any place where cold drinks or sandwiches are sold after 9 p.m.”

California

It is illegal in CA for women to drive in…a bathrobe?

It’s also illegal to shoot animals from a moving vehicle. Unsurprising, but quite specific.

Illinois

Just in case you didn’t know the steering wheel is of vital importance, Illinois made it illegal to drive without one.

Nevada

It is illegal in NV to drive a camel on the freeway. But not on city streets, where you’re free to hold up traffic to your heart’s content.

New Jersey

Dogs and other pets must buckle up in the car or at least be in a pet carrier. One too many drivers were distracted by pets sitting on their laps while driving.

Also, those who have been charged with a DUI cannot apply to get a vanity license plate if the incident was within 10 years of the application. Trivial, but their lawmakers’ hearts were in the right place, I guess.

New Mexico

Women are not legally permitted to pump their own gas or change their own tire. Of course, that’s assuming there will be a man around to do it for them.

New York

In Sag Harbor, it is illegal to disrobe in your vehicle.

Ohio

Rollerblading on the road in Ohio is illegal. Get off the road, kids!

South Carolina

In Hilton Head, it is illegal to have trash in your car.

Texas

In Lubbock, it’s illegal to drive within an arm’s length of alcohol.

In Richardson, U-turns are illegal.

In Galveston, it’s illegal to drive down Broadway before noon on Sunday.

Also, across the state, it’s illegal to drive without windshield wipers. Though there is no law against driving without a windshield!

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Have you ever wondered who requires collision repair shops to be in compliance with regulations? The real answer is that there is not a comprehensive law in Texas that governs collision repair. However, there are still inspections and regulations shops must meet.

Any time you have an issue with auto body repairs made to your car, you should always speak with the management first. If this doesn’t resolve your situation, depending on the issue, there are state agencies and organizations that can assist.

Not What You Paid For

It’s always good practice to review your bill before paying and take a close look at the work that was completed. Contact the Texas Attorney General’s office if you believe you were over-charged or given repairs that weren’t needed,. They can determine if your circumstance falls under the Deceptive Trade Practices – Consumer Protection Act.

The body shop’s business practices need to be reviewed because it’s possible this may have happened to more than one customer.

Requirements for Body Shops

A body shop also has to follow environmental rules established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

These rules focus on air quality, proper waste disposal, water, and other regulations having to do with the effect on the environment. The agency ensures businesses, including collision shops, follow these rules.

AMM Collision is here for any of our customers should they have a concern over their repairs or our procedures. We welcome feedback so we can continuously improve and provide customers the best quality collision repair.

For more content like this, follow AMM Collision on Instagram.

In-car screens, often referred to as vehicle infotainment systems, are becoming a common built-in feature on most newer cars. Like many other devices, including cell phones, these are adding to driver distractions, and consequently leading to accidents.

The AAA Foundation conducted a study recently that showed while the technology is convenient in some ways, it results in some startling statistics related to distractions while driving.

No-texting law in the Lone Star State

The most commonly talked about distraction while driving is a cell phone. That’s why legislation was created in Texas, and other states, to address this issue. As of September 1, 2017 in Texas, it is against the law to text, read, or write messages on your phone while driving. This law refers to handheld communication devices and does not address the in-car systems.

As with any device, officials urge drivers to only focus on the road while operating a vehicle.

Greater chance of having a collision

In the past, AAA has conducted studies on driver distraction and discovered that if a driver stops focusing on the road for just two seconds, it can double the chance of having a car wreck.

The recent study found that when drivers use the in-car technology systems, they had more than 40 seconds of mental and visual distraction. And about 40 percent of drivers nationwide use these systems.

The study compared drivers using 30 different types of systems, including those that allowed web surfing and checking social media sites. Any of these can lead to a serious car accident.

No one wants to experience an accident caused by distracted driving. If you do get into an accident, AMM Collision is here to repair your car so you can safely get back on the road again.

For more helpful content, follow AMM on Twitter.

Texas implemented a state no-text law for drivers in September 2017. While many counties already had cell phone bans, this new law bans reading and writing text communications across the state.

For some, it is an adjustment to wait to text or use hands-free devices, which is why we’re providing some tips.

Understanding the new law is not only important to avoid a fine and ticket, but also for safety.

Out of sight, out of mind

If you are a driver who feels the need to immediately respond to a message, it is time to kick the habit. The easiest way to avoid the temptation is to commit to safe driving and place your cell out of reach. Either put it in the glove box on silent, or put your phone on airplane mode so you can’t receive messages. Removing the temptation from your immediate reach will encourage you to wait until later to check your phone.

Mount your phone, but don’t touch it when moving

Though it’d be ideal to turn your phone off or put it out of sight, some people use their phones for navigation or screening calls. For this, we recommend a magnetic dash mount for your phone, placed in a spot that’s close to your line of vision. This way, even if you need to look at your phone for navigation, you aren’t taking your eyes far off the road.

Your message alerts will still pop up if you’re using your phone or navigation features, however. Some phones have the option to turn off alerts for specific apps. If you’re most tempted by your messaging app, turn off the alerts when you’re about to drive.

Know the law

City ordinances that were in effect prior to the state law are still enforced, including hands-free ordinances. Invest in a Bluetooth device if your car is not equipped with this feature. This will allow you to talk and also send messages through a voice-to-text app or feature on your phone.

With the no-text law, drivers can still make and receive phone calls, however, if you are making a call while driving it must be hands-free. Use a voice-activated feature on your phone to dial the number for you.

The no-text law does not prevent you from texting or reading while stopped, but once the car is in motion you must put the cell phone down. If an officer sees a driver in motion with their head looking down, or the car not maintaining a lane, the officer can pull the car over.

Texting and driving accidents can be prevented. Share these tips with other Texas drivers and make our roads safer.

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