Category: Distracted Drivers

Texas has joined the efforts of many states to ban texting and cell phone use while driving by implementing a new “No Texting While Driving” law. A person may be stopped and cited for using his or her cell phone while driving unless they are using a hands-free device.

Beginning on Friday September 1st, texting while driving within the state of Texas will be punishable by a fine of $25-99 for first-time offenders, and $100-200 for repeat offenders (though no points will be assigned). The new law also states that if an accident caused by texting and driving results in the death or serious bodily injury of another person, they can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000 and confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year (in addition to any other charges/punishments).

Additionally, Texas forbids drivers from using hand-held communication devices (phones) in school zones, and Texas law states that school bus drivers and all drivers under 18 must refrain from texting or making telephone calls while driving—even with a hands-free device

The Ban States:

• Drivers cannot: “Manually type or enter text into a cellular telephone or other handheld wireless communications device, or send or read data using any such device to access or search the Internet or to engage in non-voice communications with another person, including, without limitation, texting, electronic messaging and instant messaging.”
• Drivers cannot: “Use a cellular telephone or other handheld wireless communications device to engage in voice communications with another person, unless the device is used with an accessory which allows the person to communicate without using his or her hands, other than to activate, deactivate or initiate a feature or function on the device.”

According to Texas Department of Transportation, there are more than 3,500 distraction-related crashes throughout the state every year, with more than 60 deaths reported in the past five years. The emotional and physical impact of injuries caused by distracted drivers is serious. At our firm, we sue distracted drivers and are fully committed to helping you or your loved one get the compensation you deserve.

That’s why we say “Eyes Up, Phones Down.” We urge you to drive responsibly and we encourage you to take our pledge to eliminate distracted driving.

Statistics:

Read the Study

• According to NHTSA data, 5,474 people were killed in U.S. roadways and an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving in one year. (NHTSA)
• Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.
• Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.
• Using a cell phone while driving – whether it’s hand-held or hands-free delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.

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