5 Reasons Why Car Accidents Are on the Rise in Texas
Auto, Aviation & Transportation
Texas has its share of busy highways and open roads. That is one of the main reasons for car crashes in Texas. Car accidents result in thousands of catastrophic injuries, deaths, and economic losses every year. According to the latest crash data released by the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 15,764 serious injury crashes in 2021.
If you have been involved in a car accident, then it is important to look for the best car accident attorneys in Texas.
In this article, we have explained five main reasons why car accidents are on the rise in Texas.
- Speeding
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, speeding is a major cause of car accidents and fatalities in Texas. In 2021, speeding was involved in more than 163,000 crashes and caused about 1,532 deaths and 6,493 serious injuries.
In 2022, speeding was the cause of about 794 crashes in rural areas of Texas and about 1,805 crashes in urban areas. Speeding not only endangers the driver but also other road users.
Drivers should always follow the speed limits and adjust their speed according to the road and weather conditions. By doing so, they can protect themselves and others from harm and enjoy a safer driving experience.
- Distracted Driving
Texas reported that 433 people died in car accidents due to distracted driving in 2021. Distracted driving is anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road, such as
- Talking on the phone
- Texting
- Drinking
- Eating
- Listening to songs
- Using the navigation system
Distracted driving affects not only the driver and passengers but also other road users such as cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists.
3. Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is a dangerous behavior that can harm others on the road. In Texas, there were 20,376 car accidents due to aggressive driving in 2020. Here are some of the causes of aggressive driving:
- Stress, impatience, and anger
- Overcrowded roads
- Irritability and poor emotion control
If you encounter an aggressive driver, you must try to avoid eye contact, stay calm, and also keep a safe distance.
- Driving Under the Influence
Drunk driving is a dangerous behavior that puts the lives of drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the act of driving while under the influence of alcohol resulted in 26,418 car accidents and 1,162 fatalities in 2020.
Alcohol affects drivers in the following ways:
- Make drivers more likely to take risks
- Reaction time and coordination are affected
- Vision and hearing impairments
- Attention and concentration issues
If you are injured in a car accident by a drunk driver, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against them.
- Maintaining or Changing Lanes
Maintaining or changing lanes is one of the most common driving behaviors, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, maintaining or changing lanes was responsible for 77,202 car accidents on Texas roads in 2020. Here are a few reasons why maintaining or changing lanes can cause a car crash:
- Changing lanes without checking for oncoming vehicles can result in sideswipes or rear-end collisions
- Swerving into other lanes can cause loss of control or head-on collisions
- Using passing lanes unsafely can violate traffic rules or create conflicts with other drivers
Final Thoughts
Car accidents are a serious problem in Texas, affecting thousands of lives every year. All the above factors can be prevented or reduced by taking some simple measures, such as avoiding distractions, following the speed limit, not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, being courteous to other drivers, and reporting any road hazards. By following these tips, anyone can avoid car accidents in Texas.
