Despite a state law that bans texting and driving, distracted driving continues to be a problem, a Texas Department of Transportation news release stated.
The release stated that one in five crashes in Texas involves distracted driving.
“Our message is no longer just a public safety suggestion to urge Texans to avoid distraction while operating a vehicle — it is to remind them of the law that now forbids such activity,” TxDOT Executive Director James Bass said in a prepared statement. “One life lost is one too many, and distracted driving is completely preventable.”
The number of crashes due to distracted driving in Texas has decreased 6% from the 12-month period before and after the texting-while-driving ban took effect on Sept. 1, 2017, the release stated.
TxDOT’s “Heads Up” campaign, which was started in 2018, began Tuesday in San Antonio with the return of a 12-city, virtual reality experience tour in collaboration with AT&T “It Can Wait” to educate Texans about the dangers of driving while being distracted, the release detailed.
