Is It Illegal to Get Out of Your Car at a Red Light in Texas?

Most of us have seen someone get out of their vehicle while stopped at a red light in Texas. Often, it's done as a joke; sometimes to check on something; and maybe even to go up to another car (fingers crossed it’s not another road rage incident).

Is It Illegal to Exit Your Vehicle at a Red Light?

But is doing this legal in the state of Texas? You might be surprised by this one.

Before we even start talking about laws, I think just for safety purposes you should never get out of your vehicle at a red light in Texas.

Under Texas law, opening a vehicle door while the vehicle is operating or in traffic could lead to a citation. I think it would be looked down upon if you were to not only open your door while operating the vehicle but also get out of it.

And yes, this applies if you're at a red light -- not only if you're traveling down the road. By opening the vehicle door at any point while the vehicle is running or in traffic, you are technically breaking the law.

Common sense suggests making sure your vehicle is safely parked and turned off before opening your door.

READ MORE: Top Driving Pet Peeves for Texas Motorists Revealed

When It May Be Necessary to Leave Your Vehicle

If there is an emergency, I absolutely understand the need to exit a vehicle -- even if that means getting out while on the side of the road or at a red light. Things happen, unfortunately, such as wrecks or medical emergencies.

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Why Drivers Should Think Twice Before Doing It

However, if you simply get out of your car at a red light to do a dance, yell at someone else, or throw something away then that could have waited.

Even though you may be at a red light, you could still pose a danger to yourself and others around you. And even if nothing bad happens, let's be honest, some situations involving people exiting vehicles at red lights can seem amusing, but often it's just plain annoying.