Last
week, the Texas House voted to approve a new law making texting while driving
illegal in Texas, one of only 10 states in the nation which still legally
allows texting while driving. The bill passed 98-47 and still requires final
Senate approval.
The
new law would give a $100 fine to any Texas driver caught texting while behind
the wheel. Opponents of the law worry about possible racial profiling and
giving police too much power. Others say it would be nearly impossible to
enforce such a law.
Texas
Governor Rick Perry vetoed a similar law in 2011 describing the law as
government micromanagement. His office has indicated he would likely veto a
similar bill again.
In
a 2009 federal study, it was reported texting while driving distracts a
driver’s eyes off the road an average of 4.6 seconds, enough time to travel the
length of a football field at 55 miles per hour.
Although
there is no state-wide law against texting while driving, some Texas cities do
have city ordinances against the dangerous practice such as Austin, El Paso and
San Antonio.
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2010 distracted
drivers was the cause of 18 percent of all fatal crashes on the roadways, with
3,092 people killed and 416,000 wounded. A study in Virginia found text
messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving without distraction.
Distracted
driving makes the Dallas highways more dangerous for all drivers and
passengers. If you have suffered personal injury, contact experienced Dallas
personal injury attorney Sean Chalaki at the Law Office of Sean Chalaki for
help. Call toll free at 1-877-9DFWLAW or 972-793-8500. Read more information on
our website on how to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of an
automobile crash at http://www.dfwlegaladvice.com/car-accidents.html
.
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