Automobile Accidents

This week, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) issued a list of safe driving tips as part of the organization’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving for the upcoming holiday weekend. Although the long Memorial Day Weekend was established to honor the nation’s military heroes, it is also a time when more intoxicated drivers are normally on the streets. According to MADD, 158 people died in alcohol-related crashes across the United States over Memorial Day Weekend in 2010, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

Although police across the country will be stepping up their efforts to enforce drunk driving laws, drivers may also be able to protect themselves and their loved ones by following some additional guidelines. MADD encourages everyone who plans on consuming alcohol this weekend to ensure a plan is in place for a sober ride home. That plan may include arranging for a designated driver or simply calling a cab. Additionally, everyone traveling in a vehicle should always wear a seat belt. MADD also suggests drivers refrain from making telephone calls or texting behind the wheel as such behavior can be distracting. Following all posted speed limits and simply paying extra attention to other vehicles on the road may also help improve safety. Finally, MADD encourages all drivers to avoid any vehicle that is being operated in an erratic manner.

Car wrecks are one of the leading causes of serious injury in the United States each year. Alcohol use and abuse causes a staggering number of automobile accidents in Texas every day. Unfortunately, collisions that involve allegedly intoxicated drivers often result in death or serious physical harm. Oftentimes, an inebriated driver will carry inadequate liability insurance coverage. In limited circumstances, an individual who is hurt by or lost a family member to a drunk driver may be able to sue a bar or restaurant where the intoxicated driver was served alcohol. This is called a dram shop case. If you were injured by an allegedly intoxicated driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering, lost wages, disability, and other damages. An experienced San Antonio personal injury lawyer can explain your rights and your options for recovery.

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United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently told doctors, government officials, and others that he believes the nation should impose a federal ban on driving a motor vehicle while talking on a cellular telephone or texting. Listeners attending a recent driving while distracted summit in San Antonio were also told the practice has reached epidemic proportions. According to Hood, a federal ban that would allow police officers to ticket drivers who are caught using cellular telephones behind the wheel is the only effective way to deal with the widespread problem. Although the Transportation Secretary has criticized drivers who talk on telephones in the past, this was the first time he called for federal legislation to ban the practice.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 3,000 deadly traffic accidents occurred in the United States in 2011 as a result of drivers who were distracted by cell phones. Drivers using cellular telephones also reportedly exhibit delayed reaction times. The NHTSA stated talking on a telephone while driving may lower a driver’s reaction time to the equivalent of a blood alcohol level of .08, the legal limit in Texas.

The National Motorists Association President, Gary Biller, believes a federal law against cell phone use is unnecessary. According to Biller, such behavior is already addressed by existing state prohibitions against distracted driving. He said a driver may be distracted by a companion, tuning the radio, eating, or any number of other behaviors which regularly take place in a car. Biller believes more resources should be allocated to public service campaigns against all forms of distracted driving instead of lobbying for a new federal law against one specific behavior.

LaHood disagreed with Biller’s concerns about other forms of distracted driving by stating not everyone performs such activities in a motor vehicle. LaHood stated everyone has a mobile telephone and mistakenly believes it is acceptable to use it while operating an automobile. The Transportation Secretary also said the nation’s attitude about the use of cellular phones behind the wheel is too nonchalant and the behavior should be treated more similarly to driving while intoxicated. Currently, thirty-eight states prohibit or restrict the use of cellular telephones and other electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.

Unexpected automobile accidents occur every day in Texas. If you or a loved one was hurt by a distracted driver, you are advised to contact an experienced San Antonio auto accident attorney to discuss your case.

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Articles Posted in Automobile Accidents

MADD Issues Safe Driving Tips for Memorial Day Weekend in Texas, Nationwide

U.S. Transportation Secretary Calls for Federal Cell Phone Ban