• There are no pedestrians in the crosswalk
• There are no vehicles coming into your desired lane
• There are no signs prohibiting a right turn
• There are no obstructions

Read on for more exciting red light details.

You can turn right on a red light if there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk:

Be sure people aren’t crossing before you turn right. When no cars are coming in the perpendicular direction, people may want to cross the street. They may even have the signal to walk at that time. When pedestrians are crossing, they have the right of way (even if they don’t have a signal). Be careful.  Also, don’t creep into the crosswalk before turning. Your car should not be in the crosswalk because it could obstruct the walking paths of pedestrians. If there is no crosswalk, stop before the crosswalk line when making your turn. A ticket-happy cop could cite you because of this, so play it safe.

You can turn right on a red light if there are no vehicles coming into your desired lane:

No matter how badly you want to make that right turn, other cars with green lights have the right of way. You must carefully look to ensure that no vehicles are coming. If you aren’t sure you can turn right in time, just wait instead of taking the risk.

Also, you must yield to the following if they are driving with a green light:

• Bicyclists
• Motorcyclists
• Semi-trucks
• Any and all other vehicles

You can turn right on a red light if there are no signs prohibiting a right turn:

Sometimes, there will be a sign clearly saying “Don’t Turn” or “No Turn on Red”.  These may be found in more highly trafficked areas, such as downtown centers or university campuses.

Some areas in the U.S. don’t allow right turns, so be familiar with local laws. For example, Nassau County, located on Long Island in New York, allows drivers to turn right on red. However, New York City, including Queens, which is situated on the border of Nassau, prohibits right turns on reds. On the most part, turning right on red has been legal since 1978 in all 50 states.

You can turn right on a red light if there are no obstructions:

Don’t turn if you can’t see or get into the lane. There may be cars parked in traffic that are waiting for another signal. If you inch into the traffic box and obstruct traffic even further, you could get ticketed and be forced to come to one of our defensive driving classes. While we appreciate your business, you probably don’t want to see us that much.

Thanks for reading, we hope you have learned something and become a safer driver!

The post When Can You Turn Right on Red? appeared first on Comedy Defensive Driving®.

Although a transit pass here is only $6 per day, it would it be worth it after paying a chiropractor and a mental health therapist for stress therapy. Plus, I’d have to feed the mule. Maybe I could ride it to make my connections! I would definitely love to forgo the cost of operating a vehicle. It would be ideal to be independent of a car payment, auto insurance, fuel, upkeep, garaging, parking fees, toll fees, registration, taxes and other unexpected items. If I compare the two, what would make the most sense, cost-wise?

AAA’s STUDY

In 2017, AAA revealed the true cost of owning and operating a vehicle. They claim that it costs an average of $8,500 per year to own and operate a vehicle! That’s over $700 per month. This study is based on driving 15,000 miles annually, which most of us do. They estimated this on several factors including:
• Depreciation
• Maintenance and Repair
• Fuel
• Electric Vehicle or Not
You only pray that fuel prices drop, taxes don’t increase, you can find a good sale on tires and your insurance company gives you as many discounts as possible.

WHERE DOES YOUR VEHICLE RATE?

My vehicle falls into the medium SUV category, which is the second highest cost vehicle to own and operate. Again, this study is from the fall of 2017, so these rates have likely increased. Where does your vehicle rate on the list? Here is AAA’s list of the least expensive to the highest cost vehicle to own and operate:
• Small Sedan $ 6,354
• Small SUV $ 7,606
• Hybrid $ 7,687
• Med Sedan $ 8,171
• Electric $ 8,439
• Minivan $ 9,146 (humiliated and financially tapped out)
• Lg Sedan $ 9,399
• Med SUV $ 9,451
• Pickup Truck $10,054

When I was shopping for a new car, I only cared about price, safety, appearance and of course the quality of the stereo system. Now it gets me thinking…do I even make $ 9,500 a year at this job that I require transportation for?

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

THE COST OF OPERATING A VEHICLE – Comedy Defensive Driving

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When I read further into the letter, they explained that beginning October 1, 2020, federal agencies will only accept Texas driver licenses and identification cards for official federal purposes. This includes air travel and entering federal facilities, provided the Texas driver license or identification card is marked REAL ID compliant. The REAL ID driver’s license or identification card must have the gold star in the upper right hand corner.

IS YOUR ID OR DRIVER LICENSE ALREADY COMPLIANT?

My current license has USA TX at the top right hand corner. The new REAL ID compliant driver license or identification card will not only have the yellow star in place of this, but I noticed that the new Texas license also has the words Lone Star printed on the back of the license under Endorsements. So, if you have the yellow star on front, you will not be required to get a new license. And, good for you, because I hear the lines are super long. I will leave the house clean-shaven and by the time they take my photo, I will have a full beard. So this new license picture should be quite interesting. Most women my age can grow a full beard. We’ve all seen it and it’s something you can’t “un” see.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO RENEW

• Current driver license or identification card
• A completed application for renewal
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Identity (proof of)
• Social security number

HOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

In Texas, you can use this link to the DPS website to locate your nearest driver license office. There, you should be able to schedule an appointment to avoid waiting in line (good luck there).

http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/renewal.htm

If you reside in another state, your state’s DPS or DMV website will list information of how to renew. As, all states are enforcing the REAL ID Act.

For more information about the Texas REAL ID Act, please visit http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/federalRealIdAct.htm

Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

REAL ID DRIVER LICENSE – Comedy Defensive Driving

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I did, however, get pulled over on the freeway for not using my turn signal when changing lanes. Although, in my defense, I did signal. I just didn’t signal long enough. It’s a bad habit I have, turning my signal off before completing a lane change. But, as I said, I did signal. So when I got pulled over, I was completely oblivious as to why the officer lit me up (which sounds like fun, being “lit up”, but trust me it’s not fun).

When I asked, he retorted with “You didn’t signal, Ma’am.”  Well, there’s no sense in arguing with a State Trooper. So I told him I taught defensive driving and he let me go with a warning.

The law states that you must signal 100 feet before turning or changing lanes. And the fine for failure to signal intent is just shy of $200. Plus, it just plain makes people crazy if you don’t signal. Now that I am a reformed non-signaler, I notice that most people don’t signal. So we can add a wee bit of road rage as a result of not signaling.

If you’re not sure how to gauge 100 feet, get a tape measure at Dollar Tree. When I was in driver education, our instructor said 100 feet was approximately two to three car lengths or a house length. But cars were the size of boats when I was 16.

Cars of today are typically smaller, so perhaps five car lengths. If you take into consideration, 100 feet is 1/3 of a football field. Also, newer cars have a feature to “tap” the blinker and it will automatically shut off after 3 blinks. Perhaps that’s what the police are looking for before you change lanes or turn. Or, again, actually completing your lane change before turning your signal off if you have an older car.

Until next week….

Daun Thompson

Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Turn Signal – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Environmental activists say my city’s air quality already fails E.P.A. standards. And if older, more pollutant vehicles are on the roads, the issue could get even worse.  It is important to keep those emission tests in place, because that’s how you can tell if your vehicle has problems or not.

There are perhaps more than 35 states that have gotten rid of inspections. Two states that I have lived in are California and Illinois. While Illinois does not require an inspection, California emissions laws are intense.  And, although I would love nothing more than to not have to shell out money every year to get my vehicle inspected (not to mention the time that it takes to get it inspected), I would rather pay the extra cost to preserve our environment and not worry about cars breaking down in the express lane on the freeway.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson

Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Auto Inspections – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Not only can you report a litterer, but you can get some cool, free merchandise promoting the Don’t Mess With Texas anti-littering program.  As for reporting a litterer, they don’t get a ticket or a citation. They just get a shaming letter saying that someone saw YOU chuck a bag of McDonald’s out the window of your beat-up old Nova.  If you go to the above website link and click on the tab “report a litterer,” it will pull up a form letter and you fill in the blanks with any pertinent information (i.e. color of their car, make, model, date, time, what they chunked out the window and perhaps a landmark nearby so it really looks like they were being watched and will hopefully shame them into not doing it again). They won’t get a citation because it’s not from the police, it’s from a citizen’s report. They just get the letter and a litter bag. Like a “Schmoke and a Pancake.”  Another cool thing is that the litter bag fits right out the window of the car. It’s just easier for the guys in the orange jumpsuits.

All states are different as far as littering fines and laws apply. In California, you can only litter with water and feathers. Texas littering laws say ice, water and chicken feathers.

The Don’t Mess with Texas program was put into place with the intention of keeping our highways and roads beautiful, but there are other residual effects from littering, such as animals going onto the road to check out possible edibles and getting hit by a driver. And, according to the website, some drivers would perhaps swerve to avoid hitting an animal and cause a wreck in the process.

Until next week….

Daun Thompson

Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Anti-Littering Program – Comedy Defensive Driving

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The experts say if possible, buy a new car. Although its value will depreciate when you drive it off the lot, it will have a warranty and other perks. If you can’t afford it, buy yourself a new car smell air freshener to hang in that vehicle that you’re about to buy. A four-year-old car with low mileage and a few months left on the original warranty is what you should look for. This way, the original owner already took the hit on depreciation.

Make sure the car has underwent a thorough inspection before you buy it, so they will address those issues at the dealership. If you buy it from an individual, you’re kind of on your own. What to look for is a certified pre-owned car with low miles and a warranty. A certified pre-owned car is a vehicle that comes with a complete inspection along with a potential warranty and other benefits.

Certified or Not, Always Review What is In A Pre-Owned Car’s History

The Federal Trade Commission has devised tips for purchasing a used car.  In addition to having it inspected by your own mechanic, they also recommend that you research a car’s history using its vehicle identification number (VIN).  Reports from CarFax, Experian Automotive, the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Department of Justice’s National Motor Vehicle Title Information System may alert you to prior accident damage and odometer fraud.  I test drove a car once that had odd “rusty” seat belt hardware.  I looked for any prior owner information in the glove compartment and found that the original owner was from New Orleans.  And this car had likely survived Hurricane Katrina.  Glad we thought to look. Additionally, if buying a pre-owned vehicle is the way to go for you, having it certified would protect yourself from what would be problematic issues later on.

A list of issues can include faulty airbags, brakes, tires, etc.  And be sure that any “promises” made regarding repairs and warranties are in writing before you drive off.  Just gather enough information about the vehicle as possible.  Yes, I believe a certified pre-owned car is what is best for me.

Until next week….

Daun Thompson

Writer / Comedienne / Artist

A Pre-Owned Car – Comedy Defensive Driving

The post What is a Certified Pre-owned Car And What To Look For appeared first on Comedy Defensive Driving®.

In Texas, there is an 800 number on the back of your driver license or ID card for roadside assistance and emergencies by the Texas Department of Public Safety. If your car stops on a state or federal roadway in Texas, you can call the number to report a need for non-emergency roadside assistance. The number is so tiny that you might need a magnifying glass to read it. So, if you are the stranded motorist, the number is also printed on the registration sticker in your windshield and much easier to read.

Texas Roadside Assistance

The Texas roadside assistance service will only change a tire or only put a little gas in your car as troopers do not come equipped with an extensive amount of fuel. Unless you currently have coverage from your insurance company, expect to pay out of pocket towards whatever towing service is available in your vicinity. They will not tow your vehicle at the state’s expense. Additionally, your vehicle has to be on the freeway to receive help. Roadside assistance from Texas Dept. of Public Safety will not assist you if you are on an exit or entrance ramp, on the access road or anywhere else, other than the freeway or roadway.

For drivers who have their keys locked in their vehicle, Texas’ roadside assistance does not cover such cases. Unless your insurance covers you, you will have to rely on local services for assistance. It is also not for emergencies and not a substitute for 9-1-1 and not for questions regarding the department of public safety.

The tollway (toll authority) patrols the toll roads, while TXDOT patrols other roadways.
So your I.D. or driver license is good for more than picking a lock or opening a door. It also has information you will need when you’re out on the road.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson

Writer / Comedienne / Artist

A Stranded Motorist – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Growing up watching shows like The Jetsons and Lost In Space, I can understand how someone who has been on this Earth since the 30’s feels like we’re progressing from what was once known as science fiction and comical views of what our future will bring to these views becoming a reality. It’s all happening so fast! As for me, being a homeowner with a huge lawn, I am certainly looking forward to having my house on a pole in the sky with no yard, just like The Jetsons. That will be a good day! I want those hours of my life back, which will also probably happen one day, age reversal.

Next, we’ll be able to simply push a button and dinner is ready. Oh yes, it’s called the microwave. That’s already been invented. And the computerization of cars has already begun. But the technology will really take off with the mobile internet and self-driving vehicles. By the year 2020, we will see amazing strides in many technologies, especially with automobiles. And my mother and others like her are just going to have to deal with it.

There will be a time where car crashes and computer crashes are one in the same.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

The Car of the Future – Comedy Defensive Driving

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The Evolving Automobile – Comedy Defensive Driving

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