Distracted Driving: Texas is Cracking Down for Good Reason

Did you know that a new Texas law on texting and driving went into effect in September 2017? This is because distracted driving has become a major area of concern for the state in recent years, given the staggering increases in cell phone-related crashes on a year-to-year basis. What’s even more terrifying is the fact that texting while driving makes you 23 time more likely to get into an accident. After all, one in every five accidents in the state of Texas involves a distracted driver.

So, if the crash rate is so much higher for those who use cell phones, then why have these number been steadily rising each year since 2010? It’s not like people aren’t aware of the risk; one-third of all drivers claim to have sent a text or email from behind the wheel at one point or another, and yet 81 percent of them deem the behavior to be a “very serious threat.”

The answer, or at least one of the many answers we need to consider, may lay in the fact that technology is still evolving. There are certainly plenty of hands-free driving or blocking apps available for drivers of all ages, and many of the newer car models have been able to integrate these developments into their systems successfully. That said, scientists and engineers are always looking for ways to improve, and no system is flawless. We’re living in a strange time where some people drive 2018 models flush with the latest-and-greatest in Bluetooth technology, and others still get from A to B in vehicles built during the twentieth century. Those vehicles, unfortunately, do not have the capability to access this newer technology, “forcing” those glued to their mobile devices to take matters into their own hands – literally. The population most guilty for these sorts of actions is – you guessed it – teenagers.

Teens ages 15-19 were involved in 1.2 million phone-related car crashes in 2013, the highest number of any age group. Perhaps this is because teenagers are new to driving, and so they don’t fully realize the dangers that come with such an important responsibility. Others may be a little too confident in their ability to multi-task, or maybe even enjoy the thrill they get from taking such a risk. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that plenty of teenagers feel inclined to drive while using a cell phone.

While the use of a phone when behind the wheel is certainly a serious issue, we have to remember that this new Texas law regards distracted driving, not just cell phone use, and distracted driving includes plenty of other factors.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is “any activity that diverts attention from driving.” This includes:

• Texting or calling someone from your cell phone
• Eating
• Drinking
• Talking to people driving with you in the car
• Changing songs on the radio or Spotify/iTunes
• Messing with your GPS system
• Reasoning or arguing with loud or upset children/spouses

Now, does this mean that you’re always supposed to drive everywhere in complete and utter silence? No, that would be impossible, but you do need to remember that when you are behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, your complete and undivided attention should always be on the road ahead. It isn’t enough to passively pay attention while driving; there are too many potential hazards present that could put you, your passengers, or other drivers and civilians at risk if you aren’t careful.

If you can’t see that your primary focus while driving should be, well, driving, then you probably shouldn’t operate a vehicle on the open road. Texas understands this, which is why their new law limits these types of unnecessary risks. It is up to you to enforce them.

For more information on how Lovett Law Firm can help you in the wake of a distracted driving accident, visit https://lovettlawfirm.com/ and call our auto accident attorneys at 915-757-9999 (El Paso, Texas) or 575-523-5555 (Las Cruces, New Mexico).