Are Texas Highways Becoming More Dangerous?

A recent survey by the Texas Transportation Institute has found that more than one-third of Texas drivers believe that roads are less safe than they were five years ago.
 
Eighty-five percent of those surveyed said that they believe texting or talking on a cell phone while driving is worse than it was five years ago and that this behavior puts them at risk. Fifty-two percent of those surveyed would support a state law banning cell phone use while driving. Sixty percent of those surveyed believe that aggressive driving has gotten worse.
 
The results are based on responses from1,167 licensed Texas drivers surveyed at 10 driver license stations operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The interviews occurred in September and October. Drivers were not questioned about their own driving habits.
 
In fact, highway deaths are down about 17 percent over the last five years — from 3,699 in 2004 to 3,089 in 2009. Despite the decrease, both aggressive driving and distracted driving are major contributors to Texas highway deaths.
 
Several bills to limit or ban cell phone use while driving have already been filed for the 2011 Texas legislative session.
 
If you have lost someone you love to a Brownsville traffic accident caused by a distracted or aggressive driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.  Contact the Brownsville accident attorneys at Cowen Law Group to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.
 
To learn more about Texas traffic accidents, download our free book: “The Insider's Guide to Texas Car Accident Cases.”