Fatalities in Motor Vehicle Accidents Remain High in Texas

Texas still experiencing a high number of deaths in motor vehicle accidents occurring within the state.

2013-03-02

March 02, 2013 (Press-News.org) Fatalities in Motor Vehicle Accidents Remain High in Texas

Whether it is a short drive to a local business, or a longer trip across the state, any time a motorist is on the road there is the potential for a motor vehicle accident to occur. Most of these accidents only involve slight property damage, and do not result in any injuries to any of people inside of the vehicles.

However, serious motor car and truck accidents are extremely common within Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the state has had at least one fatality as a result of a motor vehicle accident each day since November 7, 2000. That's 12 years of one person dying each day, a number that is concerning to officials.

Last year, TxDOT states that there were over 3,000 deaths in motor vehicle accidents. When examining the 2011 accident, the agency has discovered three frequent causes of the accidents. Drinking and driving is still a major problem within the state, as nearly 35 percent of the fatalities occurred in accidents related to drunk driving. Failing to wear a seat belt was next on the list, with nearly 29 percent of deaths happening to occupants not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Distracted drivers caused nearly 14 percent of motor vehicle accident deaths.

With the holidays fast approaching, many communities across Texas will be conducting extensive sobriety campaigns in an effort to reduce the number of deaths caused by drunk drivers. Those drivers found to be intoxicated can find themselves facing serious criminal charges.

While there are harsh penalties in place for those motorists who are driving under the influence, Texas has not enacted widespread rules that prohibit drivers from using their cellphones or texting while driving. Each year new efforts are made are creating rules to address this issue, but each year they fail to garner the support necessary to become law.

Currently, there are few distracted driving laws within the state. Bus drivers with passengers aged 17 and under are prohibited from a cellphone or texting while driving. This includes the use of hands-free devices. Also, novice drivers, that is, those within the first 12 months of driving, are also prohibited from using a cellphone, texting or using a hands-free device to call or text while driving.

TxDOT has issued some tips to motorists to help them stay safe during the busy traveling season. Be sure to wear a seat belt, even if you are just driving around the block. Always be alert while behind the wheel, and do not call or text while driving. Taking your eyes off of the road for even a split second can lead to an accident. If you are going to be drinking, be sure to appoint a designated driver. Never drink and drive.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to understand the options that may be available to you. Each case is different, and you may not know the extent of your injuries. Insurance companies want to resolve your case as soon as possible, and do not have your best interests in mind.

Article provided by The Crim Law Firm
Visit us at www.thecrimlawfirm.com/

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Philly drivers need to be aware of drunk drivers this St. Paddy's Day

2013-03-02

Philly drivers need to be aware of drunk drivers this St. Paddy's Day With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, it is a good time to remind Philadelphia drivers of the dangers associated with drunk driving - in particular, the dangers of fatal drunk driving car accidents. However, it is important to also note that the holiday revelers on St. Patrick's Day do not hold a monopoly on drunk driving as this is generally a year-long problem. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-related ...

Immigration waivers to ease transition to legal permanent residency

2013-03-02

Immigration waivers to ease transition to legal permanent residency Family-based immigration is one of the most common ways for individuals to achieve legal permanent residency in the United States. Under current law, the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can petition for legal permanent residency, which, if granted, can provide a pathway to eventual citizenship. A recent rule change aims to make this process easier for prospective immigrants who entered the country illegally but later became eligible for legal residency. Sometimes, prospective immigrants are allowed ...

California Attorney General pleads for reconsideration of human trafficking law

2013-03-02

California Attorney General pleads for reconsideration of human trafficking law California wants to reinstate a human trafficking law, which a federal judge has enjoined for imposing unconstitutional restrictions on convicted sex offenders. Opponents of the law note that the initiative creates a chilling effect on the First Amendment rights of convicted sex offenders. Provisions of voter-approved Proposition 35 increase prison terms for human traffickers and require convicted sex traffickers to register as sex offenders. The law, also known as the Californians Against ...

West Virginia changing drugged driving laws?

2013-03-02

West Virginia changing drugged driving laws? Many people involved in motor vehicle accidents never see it coming until it is too late. They are unable to make the moves necessary to avoid the crash, and are left to deal with the aftermath of the collision. When the factors leading to the accident are examined, occasionally it is learned that one of the drivers involved is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In West Virginia, there are various initiatives in place to further crackdown on those drivers who are drugged driving. While the state has established a ...

Ohio legislature passes law increasing protections to Ohio franchisees

2013-03-02

Ohio legislature passes law increasing protections to Ohio franchisees The state of Ohio recently amended the Ohio Business Opportunity Law and the changes to the law affect those in the franchise industry. The new version aims to increase the protections for Ohio franchisees from abusive franchising practices, including those relating to franchise disclosures by franchisors. The Ohio Business Opportunity Law The Ohio Business Opportunity Law was passed in an effort to "protect prospective purchasers of business opportunity plans by requiring that sellers ...

Marijuana remains concern for Ohio law enforcement

2013-03-02

Marijuana remains concern for Ohio law enforcement Many people associate drug crimes with the common street drugs, such as cocaine, heroin or meth. Those who manufacture or sell these drugs are thought to be connected to various other criminal activities, including money laundering or gang-related turf wars. Officials publicize their efforts to control the flow of the illegal drugs, in the hopes that the public will feel that their streets are being made safer. While these drugs may receive most of the attention, marijuana offenses remain a priority for law enforcement ...

Divorce rates growing among older Americans

2013-03-02

Divorce rates growing among older Americans A few decades ago, divorce used to be an issue that affected primarily young and middle-aged couples. In 1990, approximately 90 percent of all divorcees were under age 50. Recently, though, divorce rates among the baby boomer generation have skyrocketed -- to the point that 25 percent of divorcees were age 50 or older in 2009. That year alone, more than 600,000 Americans age 50 and older got a divorce. This change has led researchers and academics to question why there has been such a surge in "grey divorce" over ...

Physical child custody determinations

2013-03-02

Working with a soon to be ex-spouse to create a custody agreement can be a difficult process. Making a physical custody plan, however, is necessary and it is important to do what is best for the children and to make sure they have fulfilling relationships with both sides of their family. Florida law governs child custody, and the purpose of the law is to make sure that the best interests of the children are honored. If parents are unable to come up with a physical child custody arrangement, then a family court judge will step in and make the decision for them. Shared ...

US may face inevitable nuclear power exit

2013-03-01

Los Angeles, CA (March 01, 2013). In a 2012 report, the Obama administration announced that it was "jumpstarting" the nuclear industry. Because of the industry's long history of permitting problems, cost overruns, and construction delays, financial markets have been wary of backing new nuclear construction for decades. The supposed "nuclear renaissance" ballyhooed in the first decade of this century never materialized. And then came Fukushima, a disaster that pushed countries around the world to ask: Should nuclear power be part of the energy future? In the third and final ...

The patient satisfaction chasm

2013-03-01

Quality is a central component of any discussion around health care and one of the key dimensions and measurements of quality care is the patient experience. However, many healthcare organizations struggle to become 'patient focused' and fail to score well on patient satisfaction surveys. New research from Brigham and Women's Hospital, published in the March edition of British Medical Journal Quality and Safety, offers a potential explanation -- insufficient support from hospital management to improve the patient experience by engaging physicians and nurses in the process. "Twelve ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of automated external defibrillators in private homes

University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Sciences leadership publishes white paper on trauma-informed education

Identifying the best high-biomass sorghum hybrids based on biomass yield potential and feedstock quality affected by nitrogen fertility management under various environments