Distracted Driving Laws in Texas - Defensive Driving Texas

There are many forms of distraction nowadays: computers, smartphones, TVs...the list goes on and on. Even our watches are itching for a chance to hold our attention when we should be doing something else. 

The difference is that when you're distracted while driving, it can be deadly. The CDC reports that more than nine people are killed by distracted driving every day, and more than 1,153 are injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a distracted driver. The CDC and many laws define distracted driving as engaging in any other activity that takes your attention away from driving. Specific distractions can differ from texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, adjusting your car stereo system or jamming out to loud music, looking at a map or GPS device/app, or talking to passengers (with or without looking over). Again, the list can go on and on; but all of the activities listed amount to reduced reaction times when driving distracted, and being unaware of what is happening on the road.

Here are some more important statistics to be aware of: one in five accidents in the United States involves a distracted driver. People who use a phone when they drive are at a higher risk of getting into a car crash than drivers who don't, regardless of if they were using a hands-free device such as Bluetooth or not.

Texas-Specific Laws on Distracted Driving

In Texas, there aren't any blanketed state-wide laws prohibiting cell phone usage. However, several localities have very specific laws against cell phone usage, as well as laws that limit phone usage while driving.

Take a look at the following prohibitions: 

• All cell phones, both handheld and otherwise (hands-free), are banned for bus drivers while driving.
• All cell phones, both handheld and otherwise, are banned for novice drivers while driving (a novice is defined as anyone who holds only a learner permit or are within their first 12 months of driving).
• All texting is banned for novice drivers.
• All texting is banned for bus drivers.
• All usage of a cell phone and texting is banned in all marked school zones.
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As mentioned, there are also 40 different localities within Texas that have further banned cell phone usage while driving (as well as other forms of distracted driving). Some of these localities include Alamo, Austin, El Paso, Arlington, and San Antonio.

How to Avoid Distracted Driving

On the outside, driving seems simple. But staying safe while doing it does require your complete and undivided attention, at least according to several studies that have been done. These studies have shown (and reported by NPR) that we are not as good at multitasking as we think, with the main reason being that our brains are only able to handle so many different tasks at once. When we try to handle multiple stimuli such as using a smartphone and listening to music, our brains naturally divide our attention between the activities, which reduces the amount of effort we put into each. A car accident is more likely to happen when this distraction takes place.

The #1 way to avoid auto accidents and injuries is to reduce the distractions. The most obvious thing anyone can do is to turn their cell phone off and put it in a part of the vehicle where it can't be reached. If you need to use your cell phone, drive to a safe spot off of the road instead. Other distractions such as eating and drinking should also be avoided; it's worth it to stop the car to eat and drink. Another typical distraction is looking down at a GPS or map to make sure you're going the right way, but figuring out how to get to your destination before you begin to drive should be common practice.

In other words, if drivers simply avoid any activity that stands to compromise their attention while driving, lives will be saved.

Texas Defensive Driving Courses

Taking a Texas defensive driving course online is a convenient way to learn the rules of the road without having to step foot from your home office. You can learn not only how to get rid of distracted driving habits, but how to plan for driving emergencies that stem from other drivers. What's even more awesome is that taking a Texas defensive driving course can even help drivers get driving-related traffic