Fort Worth, Texas is often considered an extension of the city of Dallas. While the cities are extremely close, Fort Worth has a separate thriving economy of its own – it truly is a separate city. Like much of Texas, Fort Worth depends on the energy industries to help its economy thrive. Unlike other major cities in the country, Fort Worth doesn’t have the best public transport for their residents. If you live in the city, you probably own a car for transportation.

Auto insurance is notoriously expensive, but we can help you find policies that are much more affordable. Our site is dedicated to helping you get car insurance quote comparisons that save you money. If nothing else we can help you get a car insurance ballpark estimate to help you choose the right car for your budget if you're shopping for one. This article will also provide you with plenty of information for staying safe on the road in Fort Worth, Texas!

Fort Worth: Driving Conditions in the City

Local driving conditions are always a decisive factor in how dangerous the roads are. If you want to avoid an accident in Fort Worth, you need to be aware of local hazards that might interfere with your ability to drive. While Fort Worth is not as large as Dallas, the city still experiences problems with traffic. Make sure to check traffic reports prior to leaving your home – avoid congested areas.

In addition, flooding can be an issue in Fort Worth. Flooding also poses risks for people who are not driving their cars – your vehicle can still be damaged if you park it in an area that floods. In addition, winter months can see icy roads develop – this North Texas area can get extremely cold at certain times of the year. Make sure to keep your eyes on weather reports at all times – you don’t want to drive into unknown conditions.

Driving Safely in Fort Worth, Texas

If you drive on USA roads, the local laws and regulations will differ depending on where you are. If you want to stay as safe as possible, it’s important to understand local regulations. In this section of our article, we’re going to take a look at local laws to help you better understand how to stay safe on roads in the region. This will also help you avoid getting in trouble with a police officer – you don’t want to get fined if you don’t have to. Check out the laws below!

Phone/Handheld Laws in Fort Worth

Texas has recently passed a state law to help combat distracted driving on roads. You are no longer permitted to text and drive on Texas roads. If you are caught, you will be issued with a substantial fine. The amount will depend on how many times you have been caught in the past. While people still use their phones to talk in Texas, it is extremely dangerous to do so – you are much more likely to get in an accident if you are driving.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Fort Worth

Texas is one of the few states that has a blanket ban on driving without a seatbelt. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you are seated in the vehicle, you must wear a seatbelt at all times. Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the chances of death, so it’s always a good idea to be strapped in regardless of the local laws.

In terms of car seats, there are other sets of laws in place. If your child is under the age of eight, they must be in a car seat or booster seat – whichever is more appropriate for their weight and size. A child cannot move out of a booster seat until they are 4’ 9” tall. Make sure to take the safety of your child seriously – it is very dangerous for a small child to use a regular seatbelt.

Helmet Laws in Fort Worth

In Fort Worth, motorcycle drivers have to abide by state laws for helmet use. If you are under the age of 21, you must wear a helmet at all times while on a motorcycle in Texas. In addition, passengers must also wear a helmet if they are under the age of 21. Those over the age of 21 are permitted to drive without a helmet if they have passed a proper safety course and have appropriate personal medical coverage.

Make sure to wear a helmet when you ride a motorcycle, some insurance companies may require it depending on the type of coverage that you have.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

Impairment laws are extremely strict in Texas – the state has a large impaired driving problem that it has been attempting to tackle for a considerable amount of time. If you drive impaired in Texas, you can expect to face stiff consequences. The DUI limit in Texas is .08, but you can still receive a charge for impaired driving if you are visibly impaired and under the limit. This means that you should avoid driving with alcohol in your system at all costs. In addition, those under the age of 21 are not permitted to have any alcohol in their system while driving.

In terms of punishments, the severity depends on how intoxicated you are and how many times you have been caught in the past. For first time offenders, you can receive up to 180 days in jail, loss of your license for a year, a fine up to $2,000, and a reoccurring fine of up to $2,000 to keep you license for the three years after it is reinstated. You will also need to get either SR22 liability insurance or full coverage.

Fort Worth Statistics

If you’re looking for some context about road dangers in Texas, it’s important to consider how many accidents occur on roads in the state each year. Texas roads are known for being dangerous – there were over 14,000 serious injuries on roads in Texas in 2017. It is also estimated that a person died every 2 hours and 21 minutes.

Verdict

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to stay vigilant on roads in Fort Worth. Make sure to follow the road rules as closely as possible if you want to avoid large fines or issues with the law. If you want the cheapest auto insurance in Texas, check out some of the insurance companies we recommend – we’re experts at helping you find affordable quotes by doing a car insurance rate comparison.