TCOLE Traffic Laws and Enforcement 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Texas Transportation Code §545.062 requires drivers to maintain an assured clear distance ahead. This is commonly interpreted to mean the driver must:
- Stay at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead
- Be able to stop safely before hitting any object in their path (Correct answer)
- Maintain one car length per 10 mph of speed
- Keep 200 feet of clear roadway at all times
Correct answer: Be able to stop safely before hitting any object in their path
The assured clear distance rule requires a driver to control their speed so they can stop within the distance they can clearly see ahead.
Question 2: In Texas, which of the following is NOT a per se offense that triggers automatic license suspension without a BAC test?
- Refusing a breath test after DWI arrest
- Failing an intoxilyzer test showing 0.08 BAC
- Speeding 30+ mph over the limit (Correct answer)
- Providing a breath sample above 0.08
Correct answer: Speeding 30+ mph over the limit
Speeding, even excessively, does not trigger an automatic license suspension through Administrative License Revocation; ALR applies to DWI-related test refusal or failure.
Question 3: A Texas officer stops a vehicle for a lane change violation. The driver admits to having 'a couple of beers.' The officer's next appropriate step is to:
- Immediately arrest for DWI without further investigation
- Request a breath test at the scene
- Conduct standardized field sobriety tests to develop probable cause (Correct answer)
- Issue a citation for the lane change and release the driver
Correct answer: Conduct standardized field sobriety tests to develop probable cause
An admission of drinking combined with a traffic violation warrants administering SFSTs to develop probable cause before a DWI arrest.
Question 4: Under Texas law, what is the speed limit in an urban district when no speed limit signs are posted?
- 25 mph
- 30 mph (Correct answer)
- 35 mph
- 20 mph
Correct answer: 30 mph
Texas Transportation Code sets a default speed limit of 30 mph in an urban district when no signs are posted.
Question 5: Which agency in Texas is primarily responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement on highways, including weight and size limit inspections?
- Texas Department of Public Safety (Correct answer)
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
- Texas Department of Transportation
- Texas Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Bureau
Correct answer: Texas Department of Public Safety
The Texas Department of Public Safety, through its Motor Carrier Bureau, is the primary agency responsible for commercial vehicle weight, size, and safety enforcement.
Question 6: Under Texas Transportation Code, a driver must signal before turning or changing lanes at least how far in advance in an urban area?
- 50 feet
- 100 feet (Correct answer)
- 200 feet
- 300 feet
Correct answer: 100 feet
Texas law requires a turn signal to be activated at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes in urban areas.
Question 7: A Texas peace officer witnesses a driver commit a misdemeanor traffic offense outside the officer's jurisdiction. The officer may:
- Make the arrest only if the offense is a felony
- Pursue and arrest the violator anywhere in Texas under fresh pursuit (Correct answer)
- Only detain the driver until local officers arrive
- Issue a written notice but cannot physically arrest
Correct answer: Pursue and arrest the violator anywhere in Texas under fresh pursuit
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure authorizes officers to make arrests outside their jurisdiction under fresh pursuit for any offense committed in their presence.
TCOLE Traffic Laws and Enforcement 4
Texas Transportation Code §545.062 requires drivers to maintain an assured clear distance ahead.
This is commonly interpreted to mean the driver must: