When a car accident proves fatal, the fallout can be devastating for the victim’s loved ones. When someone else caused the accident, it can leave families reeling as they struggle to understand how this could have happened. If you’ve ever lost a loved one to a fatal car crash, you know that the tragedy can seem completely senseless.
However, the Insurance Council of Texas released new data that shows traffic fatalities dropped by 4% from 2017 to 2018. This is welcome news because the rate of fatal car accidents was otherwise on the rise since 2010. Even fatal pedestrian accidents dropped by 12%. Experts have several theories as to why this may have happened.
Texting and driving laws
A spokesperson for the ICT speculated that the drop may be due to new laws that ban texting while driving. The law took effect in the fall of 2017 and forbid drivers from sending text messages while operating a motor vehicle. Lawmakers are considering further legislation that will outlaw any kind of mobile phone use while driving.
Several other states have enacted similar laws. Experts say that this type of legislation is saving lives, and that many companies supported these efforts. Public awareness campaigns also educated drivers about the potential dangers.
Enforcement of drunk driving laws
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that crashes due to drunk driving dropped by a third over the last 30 years. However, representatives for the NHTSA say that the number of people who die from these kinds of collisions is still too high. Thirty people die each day in the U.S. from a crash involving an intoxicated driver.
The NHSTA also says that speeding and drunk driving can go hand in hand, which makes the probability of a fatal car accident go up. Forty-two percent of speeding drivers were over the legal limit of .08 blood alcohol concentration. If a driver fails to follow posted speed limits and is driving under the influence, it can spell disaster for innocent people that he or she may encounter.
The takeaway
Though these statistics are good news for Texas residents, it doesn’t mean that everyone is safe from another driver’s negligence. If you or someone you love is involved in a car accident that isn’t your fault, it can change your life completely. You might incur extra expenses, have to miss work or even sustain a permanent injury. If the worst happens, and someone you care about loses his or her life to a car crash, know that there are several legal options available for you to seek justice.