New Laws in TX

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 08/29/2013 at 12:41 • Filed to: None

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A few !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! go into effect on Sept. 1 in TX, notably the provision to allow proof of financial responsibility (insurance) to be displayed on a phone or other device (SB 181). This change is effective immediately. No need to carry that piece of paper any more, or worry about forgetting to put the new one in the car. Let's hope the insurance companies jump on this and provide something that will be easy to display.

kouryuuk > ttyymmnn 08/29/2013 at 12:43

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I know this has been in effect in California since the beginning of the year and several car insurance companies now provide apps that provide this info, I assume they should be available in Texas in short order.

MonkeePuzzle > ttyymmnn 08/29/2013 at 12:44

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saw the geico ad for this, and thought there's no way in hell I'm handing my phone to the police.

CKeffer > ttyymmnn 08/29/2013 at 12:45

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I would love to just carry an electronic copy of my insurance card and not have to worry about remembering to put the new paper one in the glove box.....or having to hunt through the glove box to find it later on. Now if only they would have passed the proposal that would have eliminated the need for a front license plate, but sadly they let that one die in committee......again.

Z_Stig > ttyymmnn 08/29/2013 at 12:46

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I have Esurance, and in California, it's been legal to do that. But I still keep that piece of paper for peace of mind.

ttyymmnn > MonkeePuzzle 08/29/2013 at 12:48

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Here's the full text of the statute:

SB 181 allows a motor vehicle operator the option of using a wireless communication device (such as a cell phone) to display motor vehicle financial responsibility (proof of insurance) information as evidence of financial responsibility. The display does not constitute effective consent for a law enforcement officer, or any other person, to access the contents of the wireless communication device except to view the financial responsibility information. *This bill is effective immediately.

MonkeePuzzle > ttyymmnn 08/29/2013 at 12:54

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which will be a nice defense AFTER they snoop and pry "thanks for the unlocked phone, I'm just going to take this to my car to copy down your details" *begin snooping*

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > ttyymmnn 08/29/2013 at 13:00

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Well the policeman who pulled me over checked it out by just looking up my license plate and/or DL. Atleast that is what he told me, since I was fumbling about in my glovebox trying to find that piece of paper for the current insurance.

Casper > ttyymmnn 08/29/2013 at 13:00

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Holy shit, I didn't laws and logic were allowed to mix anymore. This is awesome.

nataku83 > ttyymmnn 08/29/2013 at 13:01

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Do you know if this is just for demonstrating proof of financial responsibility to DPS officers, or can I use this when getting an inspection? I have way too many vehicles spread out over 3 different policies, and making sure my cards are current has often proven to be beyond my organizational skills...

ttyymmnn > nataku83 08/29/2013 at 13:04

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Excellent question. The full text of the statute does not mention that scenario. There might be more info on the DPS site.

ttyymmnn > Casper 08/29/2013 at 13:05

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It's rare, but every once in a while, the TX legislature actually does something useful.

ttyymmnn > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents 08/29/2013 at 13:08

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That's refreshing. I got pulled by an Austin cop a few years ago for a defective taillight (he was really fishing for more), and couldn't find my paper. He didn't cite me on the taillight, but was going to cite me for not having proof of insurance. He was half way through writing the ticket when I found it. And the other officer was oh-so helpful, shining his flashlight all around my car to help me find it. And whatever else he could.

Matt Urban > ttyymmnn 08/29/2013 at 14:39

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That's how they catch a good deal of offenders on minor traffic/vehicle related offenses.

ttyymmnn > Matt Urban 08/29/2013 at 14:46

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I know. I was driving home from Victoria, TX to Austin one Saturday night two years ago. I got stopped by a DPS trooper in Gonzales because my headlight was burned out. I hadn't realized it was dead. When he saw that I was sober and just driving home, he gave me a warning and sent me on my way. About 20 minutes later, driving through Luling, I got stopped again by Luling PD. He asked if I knew my headlight was out and I showed him the warning I got from the trooper. He laughed and let me go. I didn't even get a warning, but I held on to that DPS warning like it was a Get Out of Jail Free card. I wondered how many more times I'd get stopped that night, but thankfully, that was it. It's just an excuse for them to pull somebody over and see what they can find, especially late on a Saturday night. I'm okay with that.