Heads Up! Distracted Driving in Texas by the Numbers (TXDOT)
Talk, Text, Crash
Heads Up! The scene is common on Texas roadways. You are driving and briefly check your surroundings. Upon glancing to your left or right, you see a fellow commuter staring at their cellphone. A disturbing site on the highway while clipping along at 65MPH+. In order to raise awareness of this epidemic, the Texas Department of Transportation has stepped up this summer with the “Heads Up” campaign. If distracted driving in Texas is such a common scene, then what is the data for distracted driving in Texas by the numbers?
The Data on Distracted Driving in Texas
According to TXDOT: “In 2018, there were 540,561 motor vehicle crashes on Texas roadways. Of those, 95,572, or 18%, were caused by distracted driving (driver distraction, inattention or cell phone use). The 95,572 distracted driving crashes resulted in 394 deaths and 2,340 serious injuries.” There is a definite statewide problem with distracted driving that needs to be addressed. Texas drivers must start taking steps towards focussing on the road. The TXDOT “Heads Up” campaign is aiming at this goal.
What is Distracted Driving?
It is easy to understand that looking at talking or texting while driving are distractions. But, today’s automobiles also come standardly equipped with great features like navigation, entertainment systems and multiple dashboard layouts. Not to mention, there are passengers that are talking and engaging the driver. And what about the old-fashioned hamburger or cup of coffee. In a nutshell, distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from driving.
The “Heads Up” Texas Campaign
TXDOT will launch the campaign on June 4, 2019, “with activities addressing and discouraging all forms of distracted driving.” The campaign will be present on traditional and social media, including Texas influencers getting involved alongside community based education in partner ship with AT&T. AT&T has a virtual reality distracted driving program called “It Can Wait.” If you are interested in learning more about the TXDOT program, you can call call (800) 558-9368 to be connected with a district office near you.
Recommendations from TXDOT to Avoid Distracted Driving
TXDOT has provided a list of best practices to avoid distracted driving when you get behind the wheel:
- Always give driving your full attention.
- Pull off the road entirely before you talk or text.
- Put your phone away, or turn it off, before getting behind the wheel.
- Tell friends, family and coworkers you won’t respond to calls or texts when driving.
- Use a smartphone app that sends auto-reply texts when you’re behind the wheel.
Hopefully, you will never have to deal with a distracted driver causing you injury or damage. But if you have, Scutt Law, PLLC is here as a resource to help with a free consultation.
