What are the Distracted Driving Laws in Texas?

Charles J. Argento, our Houston personal injury lawyer, knows distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, one in five crashes in Texas is caused by distracted driving. Last year, 109,658 traffic crashes in Texas involved distracted driving, which resulted in 455 deaths and 3,087 serious injuries.

Does Texas Have Distracted Driving Laws?

Texas has multiple distracted driving laws, including those related to cellphone use:

• Drivers cannot send or receive electronic messages while driving in Texas.
• Drivers with learner’s permits are prohibited from using cellphones in the first six months of driving.
• Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using handheld devices.
• Using any handheld device in your vehicle in a school zone is illegal.
• School bus drivers may not use cellphones if children are present.

It is vital to note cellphone laws can change from city to city throughout Texas. The safest option is to secure your cellphone out of reach and wait until you have reached your destination to retrieve it. Focusing on the road can help save your life and others.

Cellphone are not the only distractions on our Texas roadways. And while they may not be unlawful, they can take a driver’s attention away from driving safely.

They include, but are not limited to:

• Adjusting a radio, music player, or dashboard system.
• Drowsiness.
• Eating and drinking.
• Grooming.
• Interacting with passengers and pets.
• Looking at an object outside the vehicle.
• Reaching for a moving object.
• Reading.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 100 people die each day in car crashes. Nine of those fatalities are a result of distracted driving. At any moment during daylight hours, an estimated 3.8% of drivers in the United States use a handheld cell phone.

Contact Our Houston Distracted Driving Attorney Today

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident with a distracted driver, contact Charles J. Argento & Associates for help today. Our experienced distracted driving attorney in Houston will work to build a strong case on your behalf and maximize the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries and losses. Schedule a free consultation by calling (713) 225-5050 or contacting us online so that together, we can pursue justice by holding the negligent person liable for your full financial recovery.