Where Texas Could Improve Safety Laws

April 5, 2019 Accident Attorney

Texas led the nation in traffic deaths in 2017, with more than 3,700 people being killed on Texas roads during that year. It’s been several years since a day has gone by where no one has died on the roads in Texas.

According to a 2019 Roadmap Report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, however, Texas is roughly middle of the road when it comes to traffic safety. The report examined traffic laws and enforcement in all 50 states, offering suggestions for potential future legislation, including measures to combat common drowsy driving reasons.

Of the 16 laws that Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety recommend, Texas already has 9 in place. These include laws on texting while driving and enforcing seat belt usage. (One of the other findings of the report was that seat belts saved more lives in Texas in 2017 than in any other state.)

The roads aren’t always safe out there. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant as soon as you can. Reach out to us by phone or email today.

Recommended Changes to Texas Laws

The 7 specific changes that the Roadmap Report indicates that Texas could make to improve traffic safety are:

  1. Requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets.
  2. Requiring all child seats to be rear-facing through age 2.
  3. Raising the minimum age for a learner’s permit to 16, helping to keep younger drivers off the road.
  4. Strengthening the requirements for supervision for beginning drivers.
  5. Increasing the nighttime driving restrictions for young drivers.
  6. Making stronger restrictions on passengers in vehicles being operated by younger drivers.
  7. Increasing the age required to earn an unrestricted driver’s license to 18.

As you can see, most of the recommendations have to do with increasing the safety of young drivers who are still in the process of learning how to operate a vehicle. These drivers are much more likely to be in accidents, especially during the initial months of learning to drive and shortly after getting their licenses.

Head injuries are the most common injuries that motorcyclists suffer, and motorcyclists are far more likely to survive a motorcyclist suffering head injuries if they’re wearing a helmet than if they’re not. Helmets can prevent minor injuries and allow motorcyclists to survive more serious accidents.

Children are safer in rear-facing car seats than in forward-facing ones for the first couple of years of their lives. Requirements on rear-facing car seats, along with enhanced roadway safety measures and the integration of self-driving vehicles, could potentially save many children’s lives and prevent many families from suffering an avoidable tragedy. Taken together, these recommended changes to the laws in Texas could make the roads safer for everyone.

Contact Us

As you can see, dangers from auto accidents are very real, especially for new drivers. Should you be the victim of a motor vehicle accident, or any other accident,  the experienced vehicle accident attorneys at the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant are here to help. Call us at 1 (800) 444-5000 or contact us through our online form.

Attorney Terry Bryant

Attorney Terry BryantTerry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]

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