The unfortunate statistics continue to show that Texas leads the nation in road deaths. Every day since November 7th, 2000, at least one person has been killed on our state’s roadways. In 2017 alone, 3,722 people died, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. A recent article in The Texas Tribune reported on what the Texas Legislature is doing to combat the unacceptable number of fatalities from motor vehicle accidents across the state.
Efforts to Curb Highway Deaths
The Tribune article concluded that our state government’s actions have shown mixed results in curbing highway fatalities. Here are some of the bills related to improving traffic safety that are currently in the legislature, and how they are progressing (or not progressing):- House Bill 1287—This bill, which has garnered bipartisan support among lawmakers, including proponents of lowering the speed limit, would automatically lower the speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 mph on streets that don't have marked speed limits. It currently has bipartisan support among lawmakers and is awaiting debate and a vote by the full House of Representatives.
- House Bill 1289—This “common-sense” bill would require drivers to stop and yield for people legally crossing in crosswalks, barring drivers from trying to intimidate pedestrians to hurry up by inching forward or even bumping them. According to the Tribune’s report, there isn’t open opposition to the bill, but it has been inexplicably stalled without a committee hearing.
- Senate Bill 43—SB43 calls for a statewide ban on handheld cell phones and other electronic handheld devices while driving, aiming to address the serious problem of distracted driving. Only hands-free phones and electronic devices would be allowed. Many cities in Texas already have such bans in place, however this bill has not yet received a committee hearing by the Senate.