We are all guilty of it. Whether it’s inhaling a sandwich between destinations, applying a touch-up to your lipstick, trying to keep the peace between the bickering kiddos in the backseat or answering a quick work text at 60 miles per hour. Taking your vision or mental concentration away from driving is reckless to the other drivers on the roadway.
Until recently Texas did not have a statewide ban on texting while driving. Governor Greg Abbott announced in June that he signed House Bill 62 into law, which will punish those who text and drive with a fine of $25-$99 for first-timers and $100 -$200 for repeat offenders. Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney, Brad Parker, says, “Beginning on Sept. 1, the ban goes into effect. How much will it impact people’s decision to use their phone while driving, I don’t know? I think it’s going to take some time and maybe heftier fines for people to comply.”
Distracted Driving Can Wait
While traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens and they are far more likely to send and receive text messages while driving than adults, they are not the only offenders. Our society has become so connected to their electronic devices that they kind of forget themselves.
“I am constantly telling my own daughters, ‘It can wait!’ There is no text or call that is important enough to lose your life,” Brad says.
It’s not only visual impairment in which drivers should be concerned. Using a cell phone for any purpose while driving affects a person’s cognitive ability. Brad says, “People may think they are being responsible if they are utilizing hands-free devices. It’s better but not by much. Here’s a perfect example…Have you ever been driving along while in a conversation on your phone, and after you hang up you have to ask yourself where you are? Do you ever forget to exit because you are so engrossed in the conversation you are having? This is evidence that both texting AND talking while driving affects your overall awareness.”
Research shows that text messaging causes drivers to take their eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds over a six-second interval. That means at 55 miles per hour, a texting driver will travel the distance of a football field without paying attention to the road.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free consultation. We help car accident victims throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
