Getting Around TRAVEL INFORMATION
TOLL ROADS—Many toll roads are cashless or all-electronic, meaning they do not have staffed booths to take tolls. Some require people to have toll tags and some may have a Pay by Mail option. If a vehicle without a valid toll tag uses a toll road, a picture is taken of the license plate and the bill is mailed to the address associated with the plate. The bill may contain an adminis- trative charge in addition to the toll fee. Rental car drivers should check with the rental compa- ny regarding the handling of toll fees. If a toll plaza is staffed, signs will direct travelers to lanes with the option to stop and pay. Visit www.
txtag.org to view locations of toll roads and find information on payment forms accepted.
DRIVETEXAS™—This is the Texas Department
of Transportation’s highway conditions in for- mation service. Travelers can visit www.
DriveTexas.org to view an interactive highway map displaying construction areas, closures, weather-related hazards and other conditions along their route. The website also has options to see a live traffic feed, view traffic cameras in select cities, and find safety rest areas and Texas Travel Information Centers. The site is both desktop- and mobile-friendly. Travelers may also call 800/452-9292
for 24-hour automated informa tion or to speak with a professional travel counselor for highway conditions, safety information and expert tourism recommendations, from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Central time, seven days a week.
HIGHWAY REST AREAS—Texas pioneered the concept of miniature parks along travel- ways—an idea that has been adopted nationally. Today, safety rest areas with restrooms, picnic areas, and scenic turnouts give travelers a break from driving so they can return to the road refreshed and more alert. Remaining in a rest area for more than 24 hours or erecting any kind of structure is prohibited by law.
SPEED LIMITS—Pay careful at- tention to speed limit signs! In Texas, speed limits can range from 25 mph to 85 mph on numbered highways. Speed limits on some Texas highways, especially urban freeways, may be reduced be- cause of their individual operating characteristics. Posted speed lim- its apply to cars and trucks for both day and night.
TRAFFIC SIGNS—Speeds, caution areas, stops and directions are marked by more than half a million signs. Passing is illegal when there is a continuous yellow stripe on the driver’s side of the center line. Center lines are yellow dashed stripes. White dashed stripes separate dual lanes of traffic in the same direction. Paint- ed or reflective pavement arrows often show ap proved directions or turns. Arrows pointing toward you or red reflectors showing indicate you are driving the wrong way on a freeway ramp or one-way street.
AUTO SAFETY BELTS AND CHILD SEATS— All people in a passenger vehicle, regardless of age or seating position, are required to wear a seat belt. Children up to 8 years old, unless tall- er than 4 feet 9 inches, must ride in child safety seats. Fines may be levied for failure to use safety belts and child safety seats.
AUTO INSURANCE—A motor vehicle may not be operated in Texas unless a policy of liability in- surance is in effect. Evidence of insurance must be furnished when requested by a police officer.
DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS—For 30 years, the Don’t mess with Texas®
campaign has been
reminding motorists to keep our highways litter-free. Don’t mess with Texas is a registered service mark and trademark owned by the Texas Department of Trans portation.
www.DontmesswithTexas.org
CLIMATE—Texas terrain in- cludes arid desert mountains, limestone hills, rich farmland, grasslands, marshes and deep forests. The state enjoys gener- ally mild winters, but the sum- mers are hot. In July, the aver- age daytime high statewide is almost 96 degrees. Average an- nual rainfall varies from less than 9 inches in far West Texas to about 58 inches in parts of East Texas.
TEXAS TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTERS
AMARILLO I-40
ANTHONY I-10
DENISON U.S. 69/75
GAINESVILLE I-35
LANGTRY U.S. 90/Loop 25
LAREDO I-35 at U.S. 83
ORANGE I-10
TEXARKANA I-30
VALLEY (Harlingen) U.S. 77 at U.S. 83
WASKOM I-20
806/335-1441 915/886-3468
AUSTIN Capitol Visitor Center 512/463-8586
903/463-2860 940/665-2301 432/291-3340 956/417-4728 409/883-9416 903/794-2114 956/428-4477 903/687-2547
WICHITA FALLS I-44/U.S. 287, Exit 1C 940/723-7931
The Texas Department of Trans portation operates 12 travel information centers for the convenience of the traveling public. Pro- fessional travel counselors welcome visitors and provide a wealth of information and suggestions to make every Texas trip safe and pleasant. Discounted tickets to major Texas attrac-
tions are available. Travel counselors supply comprehensive statewide travel publica- tions, plus detailed brochures about points of interest, attractions and recreational areas along the way. The centers also host safety awareness events and other special events throughout the year. The centers are open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily
and from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Memorial Day week- end through Labor Day. The Capitol Visitor Center hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon–5 p.m. Sunday year-round. All centers are closed on New Year’s Day,
Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
For 24-hour highway condition informa-
tion, call 800/452-9292 or visit
www.drivetexas.org.
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