Distracted driving is an epidemic in Texas and across the United States. An increasing number of drivers are finding more and more ways to become distracted behind the wheel. When drivers are not paying attention to driving, other drivers, passengers and pedestrians are put at risk.
What is distracted driving? Distracted driving can include any behavior that keeps a driver’s attention off of driving, such as:
- Talking on a cell phone while driving
- Texting while driving
- Taking a selfie while driving
- Taking a video while driving
- Using an app while driving
- Navigating a GPS while driving
- Eating while driving
- Applying makeup while driving
Where is distracted driving most prevalent in Texas? Let’s take a look at the number of distracted driving accidents by county in 2015:
- Bexar County: 24,686 accidents
- Harris County: 14,250 accidents
- Tarrant County: 7,748 accidents
- Dallas County: 6,601 accidents
- Travis County: 4,935 accidents
- El Paso County: 3,443 accidents
- Collin County: 3,105 accidents
- Denton County: 2,415 accidents
- Montgomery County: 1,958 accidents
- Galveston County: 1,784 accidents
This information is compiled from Texas Department of Transportation data involving all distracted driving-related accidents: Fatal crashes, incapacitating injury crashes, non-incapacitating injury crashes, possible injury crashes, non-injury crashes, and unknown injury crashes.
Every year, distracted driving results in thousands of otherwise preventable accidents – and in certain counties the accident rate is startlingly high.
We all have a responsibility to drive safely, obey traffic laws, and respect others who are sharing the road. Taking a zero-tolerance approach to distracted driving is the first step towards accident prevention.
Free consultation: If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, learn about your legal rights by calling (713) 222-7211.