Common Bad Driving Habits In El Paso: Are You Guilty?

The 2 most common, (arguably), bad driving moves I see in El Paso involve a "heavy" foot and/or a "lazy" hand.

I think just about every El Paso driver has a heavy foot, (unless it's a motorcycle - then foot becomes hand), on the accelerator.

The other most popular driving no-no involves the hand, (on a motorcycle, it's usually the thumb), that operates the blinker.

All it takes is a simple flip of the hand, (or push of the thumb), and your blinkers spring into action; letting other drivers know what you're planning to do. It's so easy.

Is It Legal Not To Use Turn Signals?

As a quick, courtesy reminder, no. Texas law says you have to use your turn signals any time you change your direction. Unless you don't have any, (that's mostly for motorcycles), or yours are broken. Then you can use hand signals.

This is when Texas mandates using our friend the blinker ... not only when but for how long:

Signal at least 100 feet before making a turn
Signal for at least 5 seconds before changing lanes on a high‑speed roadway
Use their signal every time they turn, even if they're in a dedicated turn lane
Signal when merging
Signal when passing another vehicle
Signal when pulling away from a curb or parking space - wfaa

Other Bad Driving

How Hand Signals Work When Driving

If your blinkers are broken, (or your ride was manufactured before 1960), here's how to let other drivers know what you're doing and, (usually), avoid a ticket. NOTE: If your blinkers work properly, you MUST use them.

Left Turn = Extend your left arm out straight. (Roll the window down first.)
Right Turn = Extend your left arm, bent at the elbow in a 90 degree angle, hand pointed up. (Again, window down please.)
Stop = (Roll down the window.) Do the right turn thing, backwards. Left arm extended, bent at a 90 degree angle, pointing down.

Follow the same time and distance rules set for blinkers.