Each day for the past 13 years, someone has been killed in an auto accident on Texas highways, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). More than 45,000 people have been killed on Texas roads since November 7, 2000, the last day without a fatal crash. Many of these deadly accidents are completely preventable. More than one-fourth were alcohol-related fatalities.
We all have a role to play in keeping our state’s roads safe. So how can we stop this deadly trend?
Stop Drunk Driving
Stopping drinking and driving is a safety initiative we all have a vested interest in promoting. If you drive, ride, walk or bike, intoxicated drivers should be a concern for you.
Since November 7, 2000, 13,544 people have been killed in alcohol-related accidents on Texas roads, according to a Texas Department of Transportation press release. That’s nearly 14,000 preventable deaths.
Who knows how many of those accidents could have been stopped by a friend taking the keys or someone calling a cab for a driver that had had too much to drink. While you may drive after drinking and make it home, you could also kill someone. You could be the one who ends up dead.
There are several things you can do to reduce the toll that drunk drivers have on the roads. Some of these include:
- Don’t drink and drive
- Be a designated driver
- Call a cab for a friend or for yourself if it keeps you off the road after having too much to drink
- Keep an eye out for swerving and possibly intoxicated drivers. Keep a safe distance and notify authorities if you see someone you suspect of driving drunk.
End Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another major cause of fatal accidents on Texas roadways. Since January 1, 2008, there have been 2,719 people killed in distracted driving accidents, according to the TxDOT. Distracted driving could mean anything from eating or putting on make-up while behind the wheel to texting and talking on the phone. While texting while driving is a serious issue among teenage drivers, drivers of all ages are guilty of distracted driving.
You can help reduce distracted driving accidents on our roads. Here are five tips:
- Never text and drive.
- Don’t talk on the phone while driving.
- Have your teen driver sign a pledge to never use the phone while driving.
- Talk to friends about their phone habits while driving.
- When you are driving, focus on driving and eliminate other common distractions like eating, primping in the mirror, and background noise.
Buckle-Up
Unrestrained drivers are far more likely to die in the event of a serious car crash than those that are buckled-in. Since January 1, 2008, the TxDOT reports 5,469 unrestrained vehicle occupants have been killed. Many of these lives could have been saved with a simple click of the safety belt.
All passengers, no matter their age or where they are seated, should have their seatbelt on. If you are transporting children, they need to be in car seats or boosters depending on their age.
Many people mistakenly assume that their airbag will save them regardless of whether they are buckled-in. While an airbag can protect you from impact, it can’t keep you from being ejected—the most common cause of deadly injuries in accidents where a seat belt isn’t used.
We all have a role to play
Anyone who uses Texas roads has a role to play in reducing the number of traffic fatalities. If everyone in the state stopped drinking and driving, buckled-up, and limited distractions, our roads would be much safer.
Houston Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been involved in a serious car accident in the Houston area, contact auto accident attorney Kevin Krist today to discuss your legal options. Call 832-924-3179 for a free consultation.
