Drive In Texas A Guide For Newcomers: Texas is a big state, and drivers on The Lone Star roads have a unique approach to the challenges of driving. Whether you’re in Houston’s busy streets, or cruising through rural Caldwell County, Texas has got its own rules. Texans are competitive, and they love cars in a big way. Home to some of the very best in American Muscle and Stock Cars, and no stranger to handling their own car parts and service, Texas is driver country. So without further ado, here are ten things to consider when driving in the Lone Star state.
- Get there first. This is the cardinal rule of Texas driving and informs all other rules. If a rule in this list seems frightening, inhumane, or dangerous, consider it in the light of the first rule, and then grit your teeth and deal with it.
- If the other car is in worse shape than yours, don’t get in the way – the driver’s got less to lose than you. So when you see a 1963 Pontiac Bonneville creeping up behind your snazzy little Prius, grip your steering wheel tight, stay focused, and go with the flow.
- Turn signals and let the other guy know what you’re planning. Don’t give him the tactical advantage because driving in Texas is a game of strategy.
- If you follow all of the traffic laws and leave a safe distance between yourself and the car in front of you, it will be filled, inexplicably and immediately, by a pickup truck carrying an unsafely tied load.
- Construction signs are strategically placed to make certain that you don’t discover the road closure until you are already stuck in the associated traffic. This cannot be avoided, so turn up your radio and blare some music until the other cars get moving.
- Electronic traffic signs aren’t there to help. They’re there to make outsiders think Texas is tech savvy, and to make sure Texans don’t see the police car hiding in the median strip.
- Obey the speed limits. It’s better to obey the speed limit laws because you don’t ever want to get pulled over for speeding. Plus, some other drivers are impatient, so it’s best to just let them pass you.
- Get friendly with auto parts dealers. When it comes to parts and service in the state of Texas, they fully understand that it probably wasn’t your fault, so rates for repairs are quite reasonable.
- Green lights are not to be taken literally; you’d better look left and right, just in case.
- If you look at an opposing driver at an intersection, you are automatically granting him or her right of way. It’s your own fault.
These are just some of the things that you should keep in mind when driving in the Lone Star state. Texas is one of the biggest states in the United States, and it is home to some of the most populous cities in the country. Whether you’re moving to Texas or considering moving to the state, you will need to get around somehow, and these tips will help you make sure you are being safe on the Texas roads.
Mike was born and raised in Texas and has been driving on the roads of the state ever since he started learning how to drive. He currently writes about Texas happenings in his spare time. Hope you love reading “How To Drive In Texas: A Guide For Newcomers And Locals”. Share your view in the comment section below.
