Folks who plaster those “Hang Up and Drive” bumper stickers on their vehicles might come across as arrogant, condescending and self righteous. It turns out, however, that they have the right idea.
Look at the numbers: The National Safety Council reports that 23 percent of all vehicle mishaps are cell-phone use related, resulting in 1.3 million wrecks a year. It is a big issue in the Lone Star State, but Texas has no limits on drivers using cell phones or texting. New Mexico, Oklahoma, Mississippi and South Carolina are some of the others states that are part of this crowd.
Drinking and driving — as well as speeding — have been part of the accident landscape since the first vehicles appeared on the road, and that will never change. Be they pedestrians or drivers, alcohol was a factor in 48 percent of deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s most recent study.
And the advent of cell phones and texting brings two more ways for drivers to behave irresponsibly while driving, causing more crashes. Two years ago, using a cell-phone was a factor in over 3,300 Texas wrecks. Some twenty years ago, owning a cell phone was a luxury item and considered a status symbol of sorts. Now, almost everyone and his/her kid brother has one, and they are not reluctant to use them while driving, with often less than favorable consequences.
John Hale is a Waxahachie personal injury attorney and Ellis County personal injury lawyer helping injury victims near Dallas, TX. Learn more at http://www.hale911.com.
