Tony from Port Arthur asks: Officer Antoine I’m starting to see more and more of the 3-wheel cycles on the roadway. I have a friend that has one and he only has a regular class C driver’s license. Do you have to take a course or have motorcycle license to drive the slingshot 3-wheeler?

Answer: Good question Tony! In the state of Texas all operators of a slingshot 3-wheeler buddy guy on the roadway must possess a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement. In Texas you are allowed to take the motorcycle-driving test with the 3-wheeler slingshot if that’s the only type of motorcycle you will be operating on Texas roadways.

Carol from Groves asks: Officer Antoine thanks for all you do to protect and educate us with your weekly “Ask A Cop” column. The other day I was at four-way intersection and when the light turned green, the car in the left curb lane made a U-turn and went in the opposite direction. Instantly I said, “Where are the police when things like this happen?” Officer Antoine, I’m sure you would have issued the driver a ticket for making a U-turn in an intersection. What is the fine for such an act?

Answer: Good question Carol! This is the forever-cycling question, when to or when not to U-turn. It’s totally legal to make a U-turn at an intersection as long as there’s no sign prohibiting such action at the intersection. Carol, I’m aware this may look strange but believe me when I tell you that U-turns can be performed at intersections, keep in my that the vehicle desiring to make a U-turn must yield the right of way of approaching vehicles and should have a clear sight of 500 feet of approaching vehicles.

Jim from Port Arthur asks: Sir, is it illegal for vehicles at night to drive with those bright fog lights on even when there is no fog? I see this mostly on big pickup trucks.

Answer: Good question Jim! I understand your concern and complaint. All our fog lamps are LED, which stands for “light emitting diode.” A diode is an electrical component with two terminals that conduct the electricity only in one direction. With an electrical current, the diode emits a bright light around the small bulb, which has a brighter burn than the standard halogen bulbs we’ve been accustomed to. But Jim, there’s nothing in the Texas Transportation Code that prohibits any motorist from turning on their fog lamps when there’s no fog present. I’m aware many motorists believe traveling with their fog lamps on in clear weather is cool looking. Jim, to each his own but this practice of driving with fog lamps on in clear weather condition is not illegal.

Join Officer Antoine for Ask A Cop Live on KSAP 96.9 FM, “The Breeze” every Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Listen as Officer Antoine discusses the newly released Ask A Cop article. You can also tune in via internet at ksapthebreeze.org. Feel free to call in and ask your question live at 409-982-0247.

Remember to email your questions to Rickey.Antoine@portarthurtx.gov or call 409-983-8673 and leave a message or voice mail question, or mail them to: Rickey Antoine, 645 4th Street, Port Arthur, Texas, 77640. If you happen to see me in public you can Ask A Cop!