Kemmy Law Firm
Kemmy Law Firm is a law firm based in Texas and New Mexico. Attorney Thomas Kemmy assists clients suffering from serious and catastrophic injuries in semi-truck, car, oil tanker, motorcycle crashes and other road related incidences.
Texas
GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Texas. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Texas
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Helmets required for all riders under 21 as well as those who have not completed a safety course or have no medical insurance (secondarily enforced). Universal helmet law repealed 1997.
Texas
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
6 years
Texas
Provisions for Mature Drivers
85 and over: renewal every 2 years 79 and over: no electronic or mail renewal
Texas
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
75; 80 or 85 on specified segments
Texas
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
75; 80 or 85 on specified segments
Texas
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)
75
Texas
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
75
Texas
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)
75
Texas
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)
75
Texas
Open container laws
Yes
Texas
Repeat Offender Laws
Yes
Texas
Increased penalty for high BAC
0.15
Texas
Administrative license suspension on first offense
90 days if .08 or greater; 180 days for refusal
Texas
Limited driving privileges during suspension
Yes
Texas
Ignition Interlocks
Mandatory for repeat convictions and first-time offenders with a BAC of greater than .15
Texas
Child Restraint Required
Under 8 yrs or under 57" tall
Texas
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
8 yrs or older or over 57"
Texas
Full Privilege Minimum Age
18 years
Texas
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15
Texas
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6
Texas
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
30 (10)
Texas
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16
Texas
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
Midnight - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)
Texas
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement)
Texas
Type of Law
Primary
Texas
Who is Covered?
7 and under who are over 57" 8 and over
Texas
In What Seat?
All
Texas
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes, in school crossing zones and on public school property only. Primary law.
Texas
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes, with minor passengers. Primary law.
Texas
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Texas
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Texas
Speed Cameras: State Law
Prohibited
Texas
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted
n/a
Texas
Red Light Cameras: State Law
Prohibited
Texas
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted
n/a
Texas
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
None
Texas
Marijuana Possession and Use
Illegal
Texas
Marijuana Impaired Driving
None
Lyft and GHSA Award Grants to Help States Offer Motorists an Alternative to Driving Impaired During the Holidays
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2020
Contact: Adrian Nicholas, 202-580-7934
After-Hours Contact: Pam Shadel Fischer, 980-619-2786
Lyft and GHSA Award Grants to Help States Offer Motorists an Alternative to Driving Impaired During the Holidays
GHSA and Lyft have awarded Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas nearly $100,000 in grants and Lyft ride credits to help prevent impaired driving this holiday season.
Distracted Driving Dangers: Texas Couple Pushing to Stop Cellphone Use Behind the Wheel
A Texas family has filed a lawsuit against Energy Transfer Partners, a company whose truck driver hit and killed their teenage son while he was distracted by a video on his phone.
Harris County sheriff urges greater focus on road safety
The Houston area's Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is renewing the county's commitment to traffic safety enforcement in 2019. GHSA's Kara Macek underscores the importance of this move.
Harris County sheriff urges greater focus on road safety
Story by St. John Barned-Smith
January 15, 2019
Need for speed a recipe for disaster, national safety group says
A new report from GHSA finds that speeding is involved in nearly one in three traffic deaths each year. Senior Director of Communications and Programs Kara Macek discusses the need for a change in public risk perception around the issue.
Houston region on track for fewer roadway deaths in 2018
The Houston area's Harrison County Sheriff's Office is planning to strengthen its speed and overall traffic enforcement in 2019. GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins speaks to the importance of these efforts.
Out of Control: In Texas, the Cost of One Crash
Though the emotional and physical tolls of crashes are often discussed, the economic costs can also be staggering. GHSA's Kara Macek discusses.
Out of Control: In Texas, the Cost of One Crash
Story by Dug Begley and St. John Barned-Smith
December 16, 2018
Out of Control
Distracted driving continues to be a critical issue on roads nationwide. GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins speaks to how frequent under-reporting of distraction makes it difficult to assess the issue's severity.
We all know Texans have a need for speed. Just how fast might surprise you
Speed is a persistent and yet overlooked traffic safety issue across the country. In this analysis of speeding in Texas, GHSA's Russ Martin speaks to the need for more attention to be paid to this challenge.
We all know Texans have a need for speed. Just how fast might surprise you
Story by Anna Tinsley
July 26, 2018