From communication with others and posting on social media platforms to keeping up with current events and conducting day-to-day activities, cellphones have become an integral part of our lives. However, we seem to be on our phones constantly, especially when we are driving in your vehicles.
According to the National Safety Council, cellphone use while driving leads to approximately 1.6 million car accidents each year. One out of every four car crashes in the United States is caused by texting while driving.
While research clearly shows that texting while driving can result in devastating consequences, you may still wonder why texting while driving is so dangerous.
The following are several reasons why you should not text and drive:
- It is a distraction. Texting takes your hands away from the steering wheel, your eyes away from the road, and your mind away from the primary task of operating your vehicle. With your hands, eyes, and mind distracted, it is extremely difficult to react properly to emergency road situations.
- It is more dangerous than drunk driving. According to several studies, texting while driving is more debilitating to your reaction time than driving while intoxicated.
- It is illegal. While you are still able to use your phone to talk hands-free, it is against the law to text while driving in Texas. Anyone who violates this law and gets a ticket faces a misdemeanor charge and a fine between $25 and $99. Penalties for repeat offenders can be as much as $200.
So when it comes to driving, put down your phone, keep your eyes on the road, and stay safe.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Texas caused by a distracted driver, request a free consultation with our Dallas personal injury attorneys at Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers today.