According to a state audit of the Texas Department of Transportation, the average number of auto accident fatalities in Texas has fallen every year between 2006 and 2012. In 2006 the death rate was 1.5 deaths per 100 million miles driven and in 2010 the death rate had dropped about 15 percent to 1.29 deaths per million miles driven. National fatality rates decreased by about 22 percent in the same amount of time – from 1.42 in 2006 to 1.11 in 2012. A state-by-state comparison of 2009 data showed that Texas was the 16th most-dangerous state for drivers that year.
While decreased fatality rates are a blessing, one cannot deny that traffic-related deaths are higher than they should be. Airbags, increased awareness of safe driving, and strengthened traffic-law enforcement have all helped to make the roads safer and keep those death rates on the decline. However, traffic fatalities are still too common and are often associated with correctable driver behavior, such as driving under the influence, texting while driving, speeding, and disregarding traffic signals.
The “Click It or Ticket” campaign dramatically increased seat-belt usage in Texas, rising from 74 percent in 2001 to 94 percent in 2011. In regard to Texas’ higher fatality rates, the Texas Department of Transportation mentions the lack of more rigid laws for distracted driving, as are enforced in some states with lower fatality rates. In areas like Austin, Texas where an abundance of 18-wheeler and Semi Truck traffic only serves to increase the potential risk for severe auto accidents, it is even more important for motor vehicle drivers to practice top-notch safety standards.
If you or a loved one suffered severe auto accident injuries, you deserve a Texas accident lawyer who understands your suffering and knows how to help you receive the justice you deserve. Let us help you fight for a brighter future. Call Shaw Cowart LLP today for a consultation with our Austin severe auto accident attorneys.