General Topics Safety Campaign

If you are looking for tips on driving in wet or winter weather, pedestrian or bicycle safety, avoiding drowsy or aggressive highway driving, or school zone safety, it is covered by the General Topics Safety Campaign, which falls under the umbrella of Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Know before you go

Check weather forecasts before you hit the road and visit DriveTexas or call 800-452-9292 to check highway conditions and notices for road closures due to hazardous weather such as flooding or ice. You can also check us out on Facebook or Twitter pages for weather-related updates.

Here are more tips on driving in winter weather:

• Increase the space between you and the vehicle in front of you to at least three times the normal following distance
• Slow down when approaching turns, bridges and shaded spots. Bridges and overpasses are the first places on a roadway to freeze
• Brake gently, using slow, steady pushes to test traction
• Don't use cruise control, which may cause you to lose control on icy surfaces
• If you find yourself in a skid, stay calm and keep both hands on the wheel. Take your foot off the gas, look where you want to go and then steer in that direction
• If you don't have to travel, stay home

Drive Safe Texas website

DriveSafeTexas offers a mobile friendly platform and an extensive library of videos on safe driving topics. The downloadable videos and interactive quizzes on the site are a great resource for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, traffic safety professionals and driving schools across the state.

Safety tips

We ask all drivers to do their part to be safe and drive smart. Practice patience and share the road with others. The life you save could be your own.

• Always buckle up - drivers and all riders, day and night
• Be courteous to others on the road
• Drive a safe speed for traffic, weather and road conditions
• Put your phone away and focus 100 percent on driving
• Stop for all stop signs and red lights
• Use extra caution when driving at night or in bad weather
• Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists when turning at crosswalks
• Slow down in school zones and work zones
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk
• If you’re too drowsy to drive, pull over safely and take a rest
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

E-Scooter safety

Tips for e-scooter riders:

• Follow the same rules as bicycles. Stop at red lights and stop signs, ride in the same direction as traffic, and use bike lanes when available
• Be predictable. Ride in a straight line, avoid sudden swerves and signal your turns and stops early so others can anticipate your movements
• When riding on sidewalks (where allowed), reduce your speed, watch for pedestrians and be ready to stop
• Wear a helmet. It's one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of serious injury
• One rider per device. Most scooters and many e-bikes are designed for a single rider

Tips for drivers to safely share the road:

• Give scooter riders space. When passing, allow at least three feet between your vehicle and a scooter
• Look twice for scooters before turning, changing lanes, or opening your door
• Expect to see riders. Stay alert for them, especially in urban areas where e-scooters are popular