To all our Snowbird friends

[jnelson]

Just a little reminder to yall who visit Texas during the winter. We appreciate you all coming down and spending that money.....but it really yanks my chain getting on a 2 lane with an improved shoulder behind a travel trailer doing 55 in a 70 for 30 miles.

Just a reimnder.

Driving on the shoulder - Advanced -

§545.058 - DRIVING ON IMPROVED SHOULDER
(a) An operator may drive on an improved shoulder to the right of the main traveled portion of a roadway if that operation is necessary and may be done safely, but only:
(1) to stop, stand, or park;
(2) to accelerate before entering the main traveled
lane of traffic;
(3) to decelerate before making a right turn;
(4) to pass another vehicle that is slowing or stopped on the main traveled portion of the highway, disabled, or preparing to make a left turn;
(5) to allow another vehicle traveling faster to pass;
(6) as permitted or required by an official traffic control device; or
(7) to avoid a collision

[...]

A common question I get, especially for newcomers to Texas, is whether it is legal to drive on the shoulder of a two-lane highway to allow other cars to pass as they have seen people doing. The answer is yes, it is, as declared in (a)(5) above. You'll find that most experienced drivers in Texas will automatically move onto the shoulder when a faster car comes up behind them on a two-lane road. It's just a common courtesy and helps the other person to pass them safely. However, there are some requirements to do this-- the shoulder must be wide enough and free of debris or stalled or parked vehicles (it is generally illegal to park on highways outside of business or residential districts). If you do move onto the shoulder to allow someone to pass, reduce your speed a bit and keep a sharp eye out for any obstructions ahead.

You are also allowed to briefly drive on the shoulder to pass a vehicle that is slowing or has stopped in the main lane to turn left or has stalled. Additionally, you can also drive on the shoulder to slow down to turn right, to speed up after turning onto the highway or after having stopped on the shoulder, or to avoid a collision.

You are not allowed to drive on the shoulder to overtake another moving vehicle (except as provided above). If the vehicle you are behind will not move onto the shoulder to allow you to pass, then you must pass them on the left.

http://home.att.net/~texhwyman/laws.htm#Shoulder