Distracted Driving Numbers on the Rise
According to a recent article in the Houston Chronicle detailing tragic case after tragic case of death on the road due to distracted driving, the lax approach to citing drivers who are on their phones is in need of a push. Law enforcement officials state in the article that they face problems with proving the citation, which makes them hesitant to pull drivers over unless they are certain of the offense. Often, they only pull drivers over for the result of the distraction, such as swerving or speeding, although it is obviously caused by their distracted state.
Crash victims and drivers who have been killed in vehicle accidents are also victims of glitches or loopholes in the law enforcement system, wherein crash cases do not even discuss phone usage or texting, or the distraction is not brought up until months (even years) after in a civil case. This lack of attention and lack of enforcement make for slow going changes to the death and crash toll.
It’s Not Just Texting Anymore
Drivers are not just texting or talking on the phone anymore. There is a whole new slew of “distracted driving” avenues involved with cell phones. Not to discount applying makeup, eating, reading maps, sightseeing, chatting with passengers or adjusting dash dials, which make up additional distractions on the road.
Technology has afforded drivers these additional phone distractions:
- Snapchat
- YouTube
- Dating Apps
- Netflix
- Shopping Apps such as Poshmark, Amazon, etc.
- Group messaging Apps such as Group Me or Slack
With so many distractions available at the touch of your fingertip, there must be stronger legal recourse and strict punishment for driving while distracted if we want to see change. It is just too easy to “multitask” while performing something that requires ALL your attention, such as driving a 3,500-pound metal death machine at high speeds. As the youth, who have grown up in an age of smart phones and technological advancements speeding towards the future, join the driving force their lives and those of all others are at risk. We must find a solution to the problem plaguing some of the most dangerous streets in the nation.
Car Accidents and Distracted Driving
With distractions flying past at the scroll of a thumb swipe, it’s no surprise that drivers are not paying due attention to the road. The assumed importance of constant communication, instant information and immediate entertainment has surpassed the importance of the human lives on the road. This tragic truth is too evident on the roads of Houston and surrounding areas, some of the most dangerous roads in all the U.S. If you have been injured in an accident at the hands of a distracted driver, let our firm help you with your case. These offenders should not continue to get away with distracted driving.
Call our offices today or contact us online for a free consultation.
(956) 627-0908