Will There Be A Statewide Ban On Texting While Driving?

Originally published by Liggett Law Group.

Using a cell phone while driving is incredibly dangerous. Each year, thousands of drivers using their cell phone while driving cause car accidents resulting in serious and sometimes fatal injuries. Although most people know texting while driving is unsafe, many Texas drivers engage in this risky behavior anyway. However, Texas legislators are doing everything in their power to bring an end to car accidents caused by texting drivers.

The Texas House of Representatives tentatively voted 113-32 to approve a statewide ban on texting while driving. With no current statewide ban in place, some cities like Austin and San Antonio passed their own citywide bans. Unfortunately this does nothing for drivers outside of these cities, and millions of Texans remain at risk on the roadways.

The legislation will require a final vote in the House before being introduced into the Texas Senate. If passed, the legislation would classify texting while driving as a misdemeanor and drivers would be fined between $25 and $99 for the first offense, and between $100 and $200 for repeated offenses.

This is not the first time legislation banning texting while driving has passed in the Texas House. In 2011, 2013, and 2015, similar legislation was proposed and even passed in the Texas House. Unfortunately, in 2013 and 2015 the legislation died in the Texas Senate, and in 2011 the Texas governor vetoed the legislation.

However, this time around, the legislation has a lot more firepower. The number of accidents caused by texting drivers has continued to increase since 2011 and drivers are fed up with the risk.

According to the United States Department of Transportation, cell phones cause 1.6 million car crashes each year resulting in nearly half a million injuries and over 6,000 deaths.

Lubbock Texting and Driving Accident Lawyers

Reckless drivers need to be held responsible when they cause motor vehicle accidents. If a texting driver in Lubbock hit you or someone you love, the Lubbock texting and driving accident lawyers at Liggett Law Group can help. We can help you recover compensation to pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

The post Will There Be A Statewide Ban On Texting While Driving? appeared first on Liggett Law Group.

Curated by Texas Bar Today. Follow us on Twitter @texasbartoday.

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