Texas Among the Most Dangerous States for Drivers

A recent study highlights the perilous driving conditions across the U.S., placing Texas in the third spot for dangerous drivers. Residents might not be surprised, given the common sight of speeding, improper lane changes, incomplete stops, and distracted driving on Texas roads.

It is important to remember that when drivers act in this manner, they not only put themselves at risk of a dangerous car accident, but they also place everyone else around them in harm’s way.

What did the study show about Texas?

The study was published by Forbes Advisor and showed that some states have worse or more dangerous drivers than other states. According to the study, Texas ranked third in the entire country for the most dangerous drivers, which means there are only two states with slightly more dangerous drivers. Unfortunately, this shows that our drivers are putting themselves and everyone else at greater risks by acting negligently behind the wheel.

Texas scored 95.12 out of 100, ranking third nationally for dangerous driving.  The study states that “drivers in Texas are among the worst in the country with a high number of drivers getting behind the wheel while under the influence.” This indicates that many drivers in Texas have a drinking problem and decide to drive or operate their vehicles even while drunk or intoxicated. A few other highlights that the study found include:

• Texas was ranked second for the highest number of fatal accidents involving a drunk driver (8.32 per 100,000 licensed drivers). There were 314.57 DUI arrests per 100,000 drivers.
• The state was fourth highest for the number of drowsy drivers involved in fatal car accidents (1.29 per 100,000 licensed drivers).
• Texas was ranked sixth for the highest number of fatal car accidents involving a speeding or racing driver (6.67 per 100,000 licensed drivers).
• The state has the 10^th highest number of distracted drivers involved in fatal accidents (1.91 per 100,000 licensed drivers).
• Texas was also ranked 10^th for having a high number of fatal accidents that involved drivers who failed to follow traffic signs, laws, signals, and officers (1.23 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

How was it determined that Texas has the worst or most dangerous drivers in the country?

The study’s scoring was based on various factors: fatal accidents (20%), DUI-related fatalities (14%), speeding-related fatalities (14%), distracted driving (14%), and traffic law violations (14%). DUI arrests contributed 7%, while cell phone use per mile accounted for 3%.

Therefore, in order to be considered the worst or most dangerous drivers in the country, certain states had to show poor results for each of these categories based on how many licensed drivers there are. This means that it does not matter how many people live in Texas or other states. Instead, if there are a lot of people being killed in accidents in one state due to drinking and driving, speeding, or distracted driving compared to the total number of people who possess driver’s licenses, that state will rank high as having the worst or most dangerous drivers in the country. While Texas may be known for its amazing barbecue, friendly southern hospitality, country music, and unique attractions and culture, being ranked as one of the top states with the most dangerous drivers is not something our drivers should be proud of.

Five tips to increase driver and passenger safety in San Antonio and surrounding areas

To help prevent fatal accidents and increase safety among drivers and passengers in San Antonio and the rest of our state, it is recommended to follow these five tips:

1. Never go over the speed limit: Speed limits are posted to keep you and other drivers safe. Therefore, you should always follow and obey the posted signs showing the speed limits. Have patience, give yourself an adequate amount of time to get to your destination, and prepare for any possible inconveniences that could arise along the way.
2. Give other drivers space and distance: You should always provide other vehicles with plenty of space and distance. This ensures that if the vehicle in front of you needs to hit its brakes or slow down abruptly for emergency reasons, you will not run into them.
3. Stay off your cell phone when behind the wheel: No matter how tempting it may be, you should stay off your cell phone when behind the wheel. If need be, you can put your phone on silent and put it somewhere out of sight. This will ensure that your eyes and mind stay on the roadway and that your hands remain on the steering wheel during the entire duration of the drive.
4. Call a friend or use a rideshare service after having alcoholic beverages: If you have had a couple of alcoholic beverages, you should call a friend or use a rideshare service to get home or to your next destination. Even if you think you are physically and mentally fine to drive, you should never take this chance. As you can see, our state has a very high number of fatal drunk driving accidents, and the last thing you want to do is put yourself or others in this type of danger.
5. Pull over and take a break if you are tired or drowsy: Many people become tired or drowsy after working long shifts, driving for long periods, or even while battling a cold or sickness. If you ever feel like you are too tired or drowsy to stay awake while behind the wheel, you should pull over and take a break. It only takes a few seconds to close your eyes and cause a fatal crash.

Pat Maloney has spent years representing car accident victims in San Antonio, TX. Therefore, if you have been injured in a car accident due to the negligent actions of another driver, you can depend on Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney to legally assist you. Our legal team is aware of how dangerous the drivers in our state can be, which means that we know and understand that regardless of how carefully and cautiously you drive, you cannot prevent others from acting negligently and causing an accident. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation case review in San Antonio today.