Texas Holding Out on Texting & Driving Ban

Michael S. Callahan | | Auto Accidents
texting and driving

Texas is one of four states that have yet to ban texting and driving. Get a free case evaluation if you or your family has been affected by a texting driver.

Texting is one of the most dangerous distracted driving activities that a driver can engage in. It’s so dangerous that 46 of 50 states have banned it. It even prompted some Texas cities to enact similar laws in the absence of the State of Texas having a statewide law.

While it is not illegal in Texas to text and drive, your chances of causing an accident increase significantly if you do. This is something that can dramatically change (or end) your life.

Why No Texting Law For Texas

Texas almost had a texting and driving ban law in place in 2011, until Governor Rick Perry vetoed the law, stating that it would “micromanage the behavior of adults.”

Since 2011, the bill to ban texting while driving was introduced one more time and this time didn’t have enough votes to even bring it to the Senate floor after getting approval in the House.

Texting and Driving Statistics

  • Drivers in states that don’t have texting while driving bans (Texas, Missouri, Arizona and Montana) have a 17 percent higher rate of texting. (AT&T Study)
  • 1 in 5 crashes involve driver distraction. (Texas Department of Transportation)
  • 8-9 people are killed every day in accidents involving a distracted driver. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • You can safely take your eyes off the road for 2 seconds. It takes an average of 5 seconds to send a quick text. (Huffington Post)

Texas Cities That Have Banned Texting While Driving

Per the Texas Department of Transportation, it is illegal to drive and text in the following Texas cities:

  • Alamo
  • Alice
  • Amarillo
  • Aransas Pass
  • Arlington
  • Austin
  • Bellaire
  • Brownsville
  • Canyon
  • Conroe
  • Converse
  • Corpus Christi
  • Denton
  • El Paso
  • Farmers Branch
  • Galveston
  • Grand Prairie
  • Harlingen
  • Helotes
  • Laredo
  • Magnolia
  • Maypearl
  • McAllen
  • Meadowlakes
  • Mission
  • Missouri City
  • Mount Vernon
  • Nacogdoches
  • Palmview
  • Pampa
  • Penitas
  • Richwood
  • Rowlett
  • San Antonio
  • Shoreacres
  • Sinton
  • Stephenville
  • Tomball
  • Universal City
  • West University Place

Overall, it is safer for everyone to not text while driving. Be safe. Don’t text and drive!

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If you have suffered a serious injury or are grieving the loss of a loved one as a result of a car accident involving a distracted driver, contact The Callahan Law Firm today for a free case evaluation.