Texas A&M: Many Texas Drivers Use Cell Phone While Driving, Knowing Of Dangers
On behalf of Lovett Law Firm posted in Car Accidents on Friday, May 3, 2013.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 90,378 crashes in Texas in 2012 involving distracted driving. Distracted driving, of course, comes in many forms, including general distraction, driver inattention, or cell phone use. It is in the latter category, however, that states have been seeking to improve upon the situation.
To date, every state has passed some form of regulation on the use of cell phones. For its part, Texas has placed a ban on all cell phone use for bus drivers and novice drivers; a ban on texting for novice drivers and bus drivers; and a ban on use of hand-held phones and texting in school zones.
According to &M’s Transportation Institute, nearly half of all Texas drivers in 2012 admitted to regularly or sometimes talking on the cell phone while driving. Ironically, 84.9 percent of drivers in the state feel that doing so is a very serious or somewhat serious threat to their personal safety.
Obviously, folks are generally aware of the dangers of cell phone use, but choose to continue engaging in that behavior. This puts other drivers at risk. Unfortunately, it is those who have lost a loved one or who have been involved in accidents involving distracted driving who best know the importance of engaging in safe driving practices.
Those who are responsible for fatalities and injuries resulting from distracted driving can be held liable for damages. Medical costs and other losses from auto accidents are nothing to sniff at, and can radically change the course of the crash victim’s life, particularly if brain or spinal cord injuries are involved.
Source: Source: The “Distracted driving an increasing threat on Texas roadways,” April 8, 2013.