How Prevalent is Distracted Driving in San Antonio, Texas?

According to Texas Department of Transportation statistics (TxDOT), distracted driving in San Antonio, Texas was the cause of 14,345 crashes during 2020. From these accidents, there were 27 deaths reported and 166 serious injuries as a result. Distracted driving habits expose everyone around to a greater risk of critical injury and makes a driver 23 times more likely to cause a vehicle crash.

Avoiding distractions is often difficult. However, it is important to know how much danger you’re placing yourself and other drivers in when you decide to cave into distracted driving temptations. All it takes is two seconds to take your eyes off the road to increase the risk of getting in a car crash.

What are the top distracted driving habits?

In 2018, San Antonio reported the city with the highest number of accidents caused by texting and driving and other kinds of distracted driving in all of Texas. There were 19,113 accidents where distracted driving was the contributing factor, with 33 of them resulting in deaths. 

There are many forms in which distracted driving can happen, including texting, talking on the phone, applying makeup, and more. Research has shown that the most dangerous type of distracted driving includes you taking your eyes off the road, your mind off driving, and your hands off the wheel. 

Some of the different activities that are considered distracting include:

• Visual distractions: Different types of distractions that take your eyes off the road include. Texting, looking at the GPS, switching the radio, or looking around your vehicle for an object. 
• Cognitive Distractions: Forms of distractions that take your mind off of paying attention to the road include, speaking to passengers, texting, getting lost in your thoughts, and drowsiness.
• Manual Distractions: Distractions that require you to take your hands off the wheel include eating or drinking, texting, grooming, lighting a cigarette or tending to a pet or child. 

Efforts from the Texas Department of Transportation to prevent distracted driving in San Antonio

In an effort to prevent distracted driving, the Texas Department of Transportation used a virtual simulator game located at Ingram Park Mall back in June 2021. The simulator was used to demonstrate how early an accident can happen when you’re distracted for even a second, making an effort to show San Antonio residents the importance of paying attention when driving.  

Are there regulations to prevent distracted driving in San Antonio?

Back in 2016, the city released a new campaign of the hands-free ordinance. Although texting while driving has been illegal in San Antonio since 2010, this law prohibits any use of a hand-held mobile device while a vehicle is in motion, with exceptions to emergencies. 

Drivers can talk on their speakerphone as long as they aren’t holding the cell phone, but they can’t talk, listen, dial to a call or use the Internet while holding the device unless the vehicle is parked. This includes not picking up your phone at a stoplight or when you are stuck in a traffic jam. If found doing this, drivers can face a fine of up to $200. 

What are the laws for distracted driving in Texas?

As of September 1, 2017, texting while driving has been considered illegal across the state of Texas, banning motorists from reading, writing, or sending electronic messages while driving. A first offense is punishable by a fine of up to $99, with any subsequent offense carrying a fine up to $200. 

For drivers under the age of 18, Texas law already bans all cell phone use while driving, including hands-free, except in the case of emergencies. Additionally, drivers are banned from texting and using hand-held cellular devices while driving in school zones. School bus operators are prohibited from using cell phones while driving if children are present. 

What are common distracted driving injuries?

Although they could be similar, distracted drivers don’t realize they’re putting others in danger until it’s too late. Because of that, these accidents frequently occur at high speed, resulting in more catastrophic harm, including:

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Spinal Cord damage
• Severe lacerations
• Amputations
• Burns
• Organ Damage
• Broken ones
• Death

What are ways to prevent distracted driving?

Although we may all be aware of being guilty of driving distracted, there are some things that can be done to ensure on your end the safety of everyone on the road. Check out our tips to drive more safely and in a less distracting way:

• If you’re feeling drowsy, pull off the road. 
• If you need to use your cellphone, make sure that it is only during emergencies. 
• If you happen to drop something, don’t try to reach for it until you reach a safe area. 
• Avoid eating when driving
• Do any multi-tasking outside of your car, including changing music and responding to text messages.
• Limit the number of passengers

Remember, studies have shown that people are limited in the amount of information they can process at any one time. Take your time when driving, it is more important to keep yourself and others safe on the road. 

What are some ways that we can help you?

Being involved in an accident where there was a distracted driver can affect your life drastically. If you are the victim of someone driving distractingly, it may be in your best interest to hire an attorney to obtain full compensation for damages and losses. Some of the compensations ways one of our attorneys can help you include:

• Loss of wages
• Time away from work
• Hospital Bills
• Physical rehabilitation
• Medical Bills
• Surgery expenses
• Medications costs
• Inability to work

Here at The Carlson Law Firm, we care

For 45 years, The Carlson law firm has helped families and victims that have resulted in injury or death from distracted driving. We understand the devastation as something this big can leave an impact on families of victims. If you are the victim of someone else driving carelessly, it is in your best interest to contact us. Here at The Carlson Law Firm, we offer free consultations and will fight for you. With two San Antonio locations, we are here to fight for you and the compensation that you deserve. We care and we can help.