The Texas Department of Transportation finds distracted driving to be such a problem they have instituted a distracted driving awareness campaign called Talk. Text. Crash. About one in five crashes on Texas roads were due to distracted driving in 2020 — and sadly, the consequence was 364 people died and 2,200 were severely injured. Despite distracted driving laws in Texas, these alarming statistics prove that Texans have a long way to go in preventing these deadly accidents. Knowing the distracted driving laws in Texas can help all of us do our part in preventing distracted driving crashes. Here’s what every driver needs to know.
The Texas Department of Transportation defines distracted driving as any activity that takes attention away from the road. Distracted driving may include the following:
This answer to this question is — not necessarily. According to SafeWise, using a hands-free device might be a little less distracting than texting or holding your phone while talking. However, it can still take your focus off of the road and put you at risk of being involved in a severe crash. Here are some tips to help you prevent distracted driving behaviors:
The evolution of distracted driving laws first started in Washington state back in 2007. Subsequently, many other states in the US followed suit shortly after banning texting while driving. However, Texas has been about ten years behind the curve with distracted driving laws. It wasn’t until just under four years ago, on September 1, 2017, that it became illegal to read, write, or send a text while driving in Texas. Texas is the 47th state to ban texting while driving. Here are the current distracted driving mandates in Texas:
There are some exceptions to distracted driving laws in Texas, such as the following:
According to the latest data from the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted drivers claimed the lies of 3,142 people in 2019. The following are some alarming statistics:
Texting and driving is the number one distraction and sending or reading a text take your eyes off the road for 5 seconds — which is equivalent to driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
Distracted driving accidents are preventable. When someone carelessly decides to use their cell phone or exhibits other distracted driving behaviors, it can make the situation much more frustrating after sustaining a severe injury. Not only can distracted driving pose fatal consequences, but it can also put a severely injured victim at risk of life-long medical and financial burdens.
If you or a loved one has suffered severe injuries in a distracted driving accident, you have the right to pursue compensation. When it comes to protecting your rights and holding the responsible parties accountable for their actions, we’ll be on your side every step of the way and support you through a difficult time.
Contact } today at (361) 238-2789 to learn how we can help you seek justice.
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