Distracted Driving In Tarrant County, A Scary Epidemic
All across Tarrant County people lose their lives at the hand of distracted driving. Working as a Fort Worth wrongful death attorney, I have seen the devastation these horrible distracted driving accidents can bring to both the victim and the at fault driver. Phones ringing, texting, Twitter updates, blaring radios, drinking sodas, and even women doing their makeup are all common sights while driving down the road. Distracted driving has become quite an epidemic. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were released Monday showing that 16 percent of the fatalities and one-fourth of all driving accidents are due to driving distracted.
There is no doubt that driving distracted is innately dangerous and has serious consequences.
People need to limit their cell phone usage while driving and people need to limit their distractions or face possible grim consequences for themselves and everyone on the road. In January, federal safety regulators proposed a set of guidelines for states to create laws restricting texting while driving. Under these guidelines, officers would be allowed to stop a vehicle and issue a citation with a minimum fine of $75.
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have outlawed texting while driving and seven states have outlawed the usage of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle altogether. In Texas, it is illegal for any driver under the age of 18 to operate a cell phone, and it is illegal for a cell phone to be used in an active school zone, potentially opening the door for more legislation restricting usage.
It will be a challenge to regulate laws permitting distracted driving. Despite what the legislature has tried to pass, it is not plausible to expect every driver not to be somewhat distracted while they are driving. The easiest and smartest thing to do is plan ahead. Set your GPS, insert your cd, and eat your McMuffin before you start driving.
This information is provided by Ft. Worth wrongful death attorney Mark A. Anderson. If you have questions about car accidents or wrongful death, please fill out our contact form online or get your free copy of my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case.
