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