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Sandra from Nederland asks: My mother recently forgot to put her current insurance card in her vehicle and was quite shaken to drive without the current card. I thought I was but wasn’t quite sure if she would be violating the law if she couldn’t show her insurance card, either. Is it illegal to drive a vehicle with an expired insurance card?

Answer: Today, you are required to present a current insurance card when requested by police officer, and that card can also be produced via cellphone or picture of insurance card. If your mom’s card is expired, most law enforcement agencies are connected with the state insurance system and are able to instantly tell whether or not the insurance on your vehicle is current. Officers should NOT issue a citation to anyone if they can prove there is current insurance coverage through the system.

Ty from Port Neches asks: Since radar detectors are legal to possess in Texas, are there any instruments that are illegal to operate in relation to radar detectors in vehicles?

Answer: Yes, there’s an instrument called a radar jammer or laser jammer scrambler, and that device is totally illegal to operate in the state of Texas. The Texas Transportation Code states: (b) A person other than a law enforcement officer in the discharge of the officers official duties, may not use, attempt to use, install, operate, or attempt to operate a radar interference device in a motor vehicle operated by the person. So, in Texas, if you have a radar jammer, it’s best you keep it on the shelf in your home next to a best read novel! These radar jammers cannot be legally purchased anywhere in the state of Texas. Because the code further states: (c) A person may not purchase, sell or offer for sell a radar interference device. Of course these instruments are only to the interest of extreme law breaking speeders. Motorists need to be put on notice these instruments may not work as advertised. Ty, life would be so much simpler if we just obey the law.

Josh from Port Arthur asks: I pray daily for all of our police officers’ protection. I know y’all have a dangerous job to look over the safety and welfare of all citizens, not only in your local community, but the entire state of Texas. I have a parking problem on my street every day. When I attempt to back out of my driveway, there’s a vehicle parked across the street directly behind my driveway. I’ve spoken with a neighbor about the parking before. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble because they have parked badly. What can be done and what violation is this?

Answer: Parking problems are always a constant issue and your dilemma, as well as many others, should be addressed. Firstly, I must advise that your neighbors didn’t do anything wrong when they parked on the other side of the road behind your driveway. I understand the stress and difficulty it may require to be careful exiting your driveway, but the law doesn’t require motorists to park any different. Your best conclusion would be to continue to speak with your neighbors, not demanding, but you would appreciate if they don’t park there because you don’t want to damage anyone’s vehicle. Keep in mind, if you back into one of those vehicles, you can be cited for unsafe backing. With that said, don’t back out if it can’t be done so safely.

Join Me, Officer Rickey Antoine and the crew of Stephen “Buzzard Boots” Mosley, Lelo “mouth of Hwy 69/73” I. Washington and Tejas “Lil Man” Morning Star for Ask A Cop live on KSAP 96.9 FM, The Breeze radio station every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Tune in via the Internet at ksapthebreeze.org. Call in questions live at 409-982-0247. Email questions to rickey.antoine@portarthurtx.gov, call 409-983-8673 for voice mail or mail them to 645 4th Street, Port Arthur, Texas, 77640. If you happen to see me in public, you can always approach and “Ask A Cop!”