Crashes Increase on Texas Roads; Distracted Driving Part of the Problem

The number of vehicle crashes in Texas involving injuries and fatalities rose from 139,646 in 2011 to 155,844 in 2014, an increase of 12 percent. That unfortunate trend continued in 2015, the Insurance Council of Texas reported.

Distracted driving is part of the problem, the ICT says. In 2013, when 459 people died in Texas crashes involving a distracted driver, 56 fatalities were caused by cellphone use, according to data requested by the Associated Press from the Texas Department of Transportation. Vehicle crashes that killed 52 people in Texas in 2014 also involved cellphone use, the AP reported.

On average, eight people lose their lives every day in the United States due to distracted driving. Nationally in 2014, 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A driver is 23 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident if texting on the phone, according to the ICT.

While research by State Farm indicates 80 percent of drivers believe distracted driving is a bigger problem now than three years ago, few have altered their driving behaviors.

Efforts to curb distracted driving have taken on greater importance as there has been a nationwide increase in auto crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities, the ICT said.

Texas has no statewide ban on the use of cellphones and texting while driving, though many Texas cities have passed ordinances prohibiting those activities.

The problem still remains and distracted driving is not limited to cellphone use. Other common distractions are: eating and drinking; talking to passengers; grooming; reading, including maps; using a navigation system; watching a video; and adjusting a radio, CD player or MP3 player.