Distracted driving has proven to be one of the leading causes in car accidents across the United States, especially among teenagers.

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Distracted driving has proven to be one of the leading causes in car accidents across the United States, especially among teenagers. These accidents can tragically lead to the injury or death of a loved one. Make sure you and your family are aware about the dangers of distracted driving. Talk to your kids about the serious consequences that can result from these accidents.
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On July 15, 2007 five high school cheerleaders in Western New York were killed in a car accident. Police pulled cell phone records which showed the driver had sent and received a text message just 38 seconds before 911 was called by a bystander to report the accident. Tragically, police can only assume that the distraction of texting was the main cause of the accident. Shortly after the accident more and more states began passing laws dealing with cell phone usage while driving. Stay up to date with the current Texas driving prohibitions. (read full story)
Texas Driving Prohibitions
• Ban on all cell phone (handheld and Hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone (handheld and Hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for bus drivers (Primary law)
• Texas has banned the use of hand-held phones and texting in school zones
• In Texas: bus driver laws pertain to bus drivers with passengers age 17 and under. Novice drivers are defined as all drivers at the intermediate stage, first 12 months.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “20 percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group. And 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving” (NHTSA).

Texas, trying to prevent more distracted driving car accidents, has enforced two new distracted driving laws. One bans teen drivers from using cell phones and text messaging devices while driving; the other prohibits all drivers from using handheld cell phones in school zones. These laws are now in effect across the state. Though, several Texas cities are taking distracted driving issues into their own hands. Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Amarillo, Galveston, El Paso, Missouri City and Stephenville are among the cities that have passed local distracted driving laws.

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Don’t let yourself or a loved one become a victim of an injury or death instigated by a distracted driver. If you have been in an accident and believe the driver caused the wreck due to a distraction contact our law firm, Borchardt Law Firm, to discuss your legal options. We wish that no family has to ever experience a serious injury or the loss of a loved one from a car accident, but we also feel the work we do will continue to protect future generations of Texans. Feel free to give us a call.

Toll Free: 866.832.9300
Phone: 817.332.9300
Fax: 817.332.9301
firm@attorneysmb.com
801 Cherry St #1005
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Sources:
• http://distraction.gov/stats-and-facts/index.html
• http://www.nhtsa.gov/
• http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3379012&page=1