April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and motorists across the country are being urged to remember the dangers of distractions behind the wheel. In Texas, safety advocates and officials from the Texas Department of Transportation teamed up earlier this month to launch the annual statewide “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign.
Like national efforts to increase awareness about distracted driving, the “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign is also determined to help residents fully grasp Texas’ serious problem with distractions on the road. For example, TxDOT cites a number of alarming traffic safety statistics:
- Nearly 1 in 5 auto accidents across Texas are caused by distracted drivers.
- In 2014 alone, more than 460 people were killed and thousands of people were injured as a result of distracted driving.
- Distracted driving was a contributing factor in more than 100,000 traffic crashes throughout Texas in 2014 – a 6% increase from 2013.
- Distracted driving accidents in Texas were highest among drivers ages 16-24.
The Texas Department of Transportation is sharing these statistics to make it clear that distracted driving significantly increases the risk of auto accidents and injuries. Although all forms of distraction are dangerous – including eating, talking to passengers, and adjusting music – text messaging is considered the most dangerous. This is because it commands a driver’s visual, manual, and cognitive attention at once – and increases the risk of a crash by four times, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs has worked with many car accident victims, including those who have had their lives changed by distracted drivers. If you or someone you love has recently been involved in an auto accident, contact our team to learn more about your rights.
