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Just got back from a trip to El Paso. Used to travel there about twice a year back in
the day on business. First trip back in 30+ years.
Things:
1. Got stopped by DPS for speeding between Weatherford and Abilene. Handed both
DL & CHL. Trooper handed CHL back. Did not ask about or want to know location of gun.
“Just a minute I’ll check this out, and bring back a warning”. Very nice guy, pleasant attitude
(I would say this whether I got a ticket or not), professional. The last time I was stopped for
ANY traffic violation was 40 years ago.
2. Pleasantly surprised to find that the farther west you go the more courteous the drivers.
Everyone, including truckers, would move to the right lane asap after passing another vehicle.
I wish those traveling I-35 & I-45 would do the same. Left lane was used to pass only.
3. Amazed at how many wind turbines are in Sweetwater and the immediate area.
4. Amazed at how many oil/gas rigs are in Midland & Odessa. Sad that I don’t own any
mineral rights in that area!
5. Speed limit is posted 80mph after Midland/Odessa. 70mph for trucks. 65mph nighttime.
6. Truly enjoyed seeing the Davis & Franklin Mnts again. The vistas are beautiful.
7. El Paso news was fairly calm. Juarez news…. About 8 folks shot dead and a couple of junk
yards torched …. Extortion plot. No. We didn’t cross the border.
8. The view from Rim Rd / Scenic Dr is still worth doing. Day or night.

I am from Las Cruces and I travel often on I10 from Corpus Christi to Las Cruces via El Paso. I have yet to run into a "bad" DPS Officer. Ive always said, make them laugh and they won't write you a ticket..lol Worked all but one time.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the west part of Texas, its a great drive to get your mind cleared and catch up on music..

Ft Bliss in El Paso...my last duty station. I lived in an apartment on the mountain. Beautiful scenery from my balcony.

I haven't been out that way in almost 20 years. I made that trip a couple of times a year while stationed at NAS Miramar. I never had a bad experience with any of the LEOs out there because I never got to meet one of them.

I remember hearing about the speed limit jump to 80, but thought they got rid of the daytime/nighttime speed limit differences at the same time. I also thought they got rid of the different limits for trucks. It's not good to have two different limits at the same time.

C-dub wrote:I haven't been out that way in almost 20 years. I made that trip a couple of times a year while stationed at NAS Miramar. I never had a bad experience with any of the LEOs out there because I never got to meet one of them.

I remember hearing about the speed limit jump to 80, but thought they got rid of the daytime/nighttime speed limit differences at the same time. I also thought they got rid of the different limits for trucks. It's not good to have two different limits at the same time.

Think it changes September 1. But TXDOT said it will take like 14 months to change all the signs.

On Sep. 1, 2011, the maximum posted speed limit in Texas (I-10 and I-20 in west Texas) goes to 85, the highest posted limit in the US. The day/night speed differential is removed for anywhere in the state, as is the car/truck difference.

And, one that slipped past and I did not know about until I saw the DPS PR notice is the move over law has been expanded to cover tow trucks. The law said you had to move over one full lane or slow to at least 20 under the speed limit for police, fire, and EMS units with their emergency lights activated. This now includes tow trucks with their warning lights on. Be careful about this, I see a large potential for abuse in this.

gemini wrote:Just got back from a trip to El Paso. Used to travel there about twice a year back in
the day on business. First trip back in 30+ years.
1. Got stopped by DPS for speeding between Weatherford and Abilene.

I had read some years ago that out of 254 counties in Texas, DPS gives out the highest number of
speeding tickets in Parker County (which contains Weatherford). I guess lots of people on their way
from the DFW Metroplex to points west are on I-20, and as soon as they get west of Weatherford,
it's time to put the hammer down.

One of the DPS troopers working I-20 in the Weatherford/Parker County corridor is known as "Uncle John"
to the 18 wheeler operators. He's a pleasant sort, but if he catches you on that long hill west of Weatherford,
it's violation/not warning time.

SIA

surprise_i'm_armed wrote:

gemini wrote:Just got back from a trip to El Paso. Used to travel there about twice a year back in
the day on business. First trip back in 30+ years.
1. Got stopped by DPS for speeding between Weatherford and Abilene.

I had read some years ago that out of 254 counties in Texas, DPS gives out the highest number of
speeding tickets in Parker County (which contains Weatherford). I guess lots of people on their way
from the DFW Metroplex to points west are on I-20, and as soon as they get west of Weatherford,
it's time to put the hammer down.

One of the DPS troopers working I-20 in the Weatherford/Parker County corridor is known as "Uncle John"
to the 18 wheeler operators. He's a pleasant sort, but if he catches you on that long hill west of Weatherford,
it's violation/not warning time.

SIA

Many years ago I knew a OHP trooper much like "Uncle John". He was Trooper Cherry. Strictly professional and a pleasant man to have a chat with, but he did not believe in warnings. Thankfully I never met him when he was on duty.

srothstein wrote: .... Be careful about this, I see a large potential for abuse in this.

How so/by who?

elb

surprise_i'm_armed wrote:

gemini wrote:Just got back from a trip to El Paso. Used to travel there about twice a year back in
the day on business. First trip back in 30+ years.
1. Got stopped by DPS for speeding between Weatherford and Abilene.

I had read some years ago that out of 254 counties in Texas, DPS gives out the highest number of
speeding tickets in Parker County (which contains Weatherford). I guess lots of people on their way
from the DFW Metroplex to points west are on I-20, and as soon as they get west of Weatherford,
it's time to put the hammer down.

One of the DPS troopers working I-20 in the Weatherford/Parker County corridor is known as "Uncle John"
to the 18 wheeler operators. He's a pleasant sort, but if he catches you on that long hill west of Weatherford,
it's violation/not warning time.

SIA

I was stopped in Eastland Co. I believe Parker and Eastland are in competition for the title of
"most speeding tickets written". Been that way for years.... and I should have been paying closer
attention to my speed and location.

surprise_i'm_armed wrote:
I had read some years ago that out of 254 counties in Texas, DPS gives out the highest number of
speeding tickets in Parker County (which contains Weatherford). I guess lots of people on their way
from the DFW Metroplex to points west are on I-20, and as soon as they get west of Weatherford,
it's time to put the hammer down.

SIA

Living in Weatherford, I believe it. I travel quite a bit for work and wouldn't be quite so eager to put the hammer down too hard, as I see DPS on a regular basis, from the East or West. There is also a little town called Willow Park between Weatherford and Ft. Worth that radars daily, morning and night! Just a heads up...

srothstein wrote:On Sep. 1, 2011, the maximum posted speed limit in Texas (I-10 and I-20 in west Texas) goes to 85, the highest posted limit in the US. The day/night speed differential is removed for anywhere in the state, as is the car/truck difference.

And, one that slipped past and I did not know about until I saw the DPS PR notice is the move over law has been expanded to cover tow trucks. The law said you had to move over one full lane or slow to at least 20 under the speed limit for police, fire, and EMS units with their emergency lights activated. This now includes tow trucks with their warning lights on. Be careful about this, I see a large potential for abuse in this.

I see people moving over, but for those that don't I haven't seen one person slow down yet. I have and I've almost been run over myself for doing so. I also have yet to see a LEO go after someone for not slowing down if they did not move over.

I understand the need for tow trucks, but they annoy the daylights out of me. They put those lights on and just drive around where ever they please like they are the police or a fire truck and they fly along the shoulders sometimes. Now, they are to be treated like real emergency vehicles? I don't agree with it, but I'll abide by it. No one has to slow down or move over if I'm on the side of the road changing a tire.

srothstein wrote:On Sep. 1, 2011, the maximum posted speed limit in Texas (I-10 and I-20 in west Texas) goes to 85, the highest posted limit in the US. The day/night speed differential is removed for anywhere in the state, as is the car/truck difference.

Am I reading this right? Are you saying that now, even though I see day/night speed limit signs, the night limit is no longer enforcable, and that this goes for anywhere in the state?

LikesShinyThings wrote:

srothstein wrote:On Sep. 1, 2011, the maximum posted speed limit in Texas (I-10 and I-20 in west Texas) goes to 85, the highest posted limit in the US. The day/night speed differential is removed for anywhere in the state, as is the car/truck difference.

Am I reading this right? Are you saying that now, even though I see day/night speed limit signs, the night limit is no longer enforcable, and that this goes for anywhere in the state?

That's what the DPS says.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_s ... 083111.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;