Car Accidents, Distracted Driving

Drivers need to take responsibility for risks of distracted driving

A recent column in the Dallas Morning News provides a bit of a reflection on the frustrating reality of distracted driving in Texas.

Readers surely all know that Texas has passed specific laws regulating the use of cell phones while driving. These rules include several categories of drivers.
First of all, all drivers are banned from the use of handheld phones and texting in school zones, which only leaves the option of hands-free talking in these places. All cell phone use—including handheld, hands-free and texting—is completely banned for both bus drivers and novice drivers. The latter rules are categorized as primary laws, which means that police officers may enforce them without probable cause for any other offense.

This means that ordinary, adult drivers are generally able to talk and text while driving in Texas, except in school zones. That doesn’t at all mean it’s a good idea, though. Drivers need to look at the risks and take responsibility.

As the author of the column points out, studies have shown that distracted driving laws may help change driver behavior to an extent, but they don’t necessarily prevent crashes from happening. Perhaps this is because many distracted driving laws do not close enough loopholes. Time will tell how states deal with the issue in their efforts to decreased distracted driving accidents.

Of course, it is important for victims of distracted driving to remember that they have the right to seek recovery for injuries and losses. In pursuing recovery in these cases, it is important to work with an experienced attorney, though, to ensure the best possible result.

Source: “Floyd: Failure of DYW (driving-while-yaking) laws shows you can’t ban stupid,” Jacquielynn Floyd, July 24, 2014.Distraction.gov, “State laws,” Accessed July 25, 2014.