New Texas Traffic Laws 2007

Hoax email purports to announce a set of new Texas driving laws effective July 1, 2007.

Description: Email hoax
Circulating since: June 2007
Status: False

Email example contributed by Kathleen P., 2 July 2007:

Subject: FW: NEW LAWS AS OF JULY 1 Thought this was worth sharing...... Heads up to Texas drivers as new laws go into effect this Sunday..... We will need to get hands free attachments for the cell phone, take a look at the others as well. Starting July 07.. 1. Carpool lane - 1st time $1068.50 starting 7/1/07 (The $271 posted on the highway is old). Don't do it again because 2nd time is going to be double. 3rd time triple, and 4th time license suspended. 2. Incorrect lane change - $380. Don't cross the lane on solid lines or intersections. 3. Block intersection - $485 4. Driving on the shoulder - $450 5. Cell phone use in the construction zone. - Double fine as of 07/01/07. Cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving. 6. Passengers over 18 not in their seatbelts - both passengers and drivers get tickets . 7. Speeders can only drive 3 miles above the limit. 8. DUI = JAIL (Stays on your driving record for 10 years!) 9. As of 07/01/07 cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving. Ticket is $285. They will be looking for this like crazy - easy money for police department.

Comments: False. This message is a slightly revised version of a hoax circulating since January 2007 which purports to announce the enactment of new California traffic laws.

A similar copycat hoax claims the same new laws are scheduled to take effect in the state of Georgia.

The following response was posted on the Website of the Texas Department of Public Safety:

Alert to the Public

False information has been circulating regarding new traffic laws. There are no new traffic laws going into effect in July. More specifically, there are no new laws going into effect in July related to cell phones, seat belts or carpooling. No cell phone bills were passed this Legislative session. (This misinformation started as the result of an inaccurate e-mail and incorrect information on various Web sites.) DPS has not compiled a list of new traffic laws going into effect in September at this time.

Texas Department of Public Safety

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Further reading:

Email Hoax Warns of Fake New Texas Traffic Laws
Associated Press, 3 July 2007
Beware of Texas Traffic Law Hoax, DPS Says
KWTX.com, 3 July 2007

Email Hoax Warns of Strict DPS Driving Laws
El Paso Times, 3 July 2007
Hoax: New California Traffic Laws for 2007
Earlier version of this hoax circulating since January 2007

Last updated: 07/14/07

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