Distracted driving is an especially serious issue in Texas, where as many as one in five accidents are associated with driver inattention. The Texas car accident statistics associated with distracted driving have prompted at least one local lawmaker to step up and take action.
According to an article from the Odessa American, Rep. Tom Craddick recently submitted House Bill 80 for review. The bill—known as the Alex brown Memorial Act— calls for a statewide ban on texting and driving for all drivers.
Current state laws only ban the behavior for drivers under age 18 or school bus drivers who have children on board their vehicles. Furthermore, drivers are prohibited from using handheld electronic devices while passing through active school zones.
The aim of the new bill is to not only save lives, but also money. Last year, 95,267 Texas distracted driving accidents left 507 people dead and another 19,994 with serious injuries. These accidents cost Texas taxpayers approximately $1.3 billion.
At Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers, we recognize the dangers associated with distracted driving. That’s why our team of College Station personal injury attorneys are hopeful this bill may one day help reduce the number of distracted driving accidents in Texas.
