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Texas Has Some of the Most Unsafe Drivers in the Country
Drivers on Texas roads should ensure they’re always driving safely, but that’s not always the norm in this state. AAA conducted a survey that found that more than half of drivers here do unsafe things, such as driving aggressively, being distracted or speeding.
A Forbes Advisor comparison of all states determined that Texas ranks third on the list of unsafe drivers from across the country. There are two main issues in this state that stand out.
Drunk Driving
Texas ranks second in the country for fatal drunk driving motor vehicle crashes. There are 8.32 of these fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers in this state. Impairment is measured as blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In Texas, .08% is considered legally drunk for a person can legally drink. It’s possible for a driver to be impaired by other substances like illegal drugs or legal medications.
Once a driver is impaired, they don’t have the reaction skills and cognitive abilities that enable them to drive safely. The more a person drinks, the more it will affect their driving abilities.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is another primary issue in this state. Texas has 1.29 fatal drowsy driving crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, which puts the state in fourth place for this problem.
One of the main concerns regarding drowsy driving is that it can lead to microsleeps. These occur when the driver dozes off while they’re driving, so the vehicle isn’t under anyone’s control. Another problem with fatigued driving is that the effects begin to mimic impaired driving. A driver who hasn’t slept for 20 hours experiences similar effects as a person who has a BAC of .08%.
Even when drunk or fatigued driving crashes aren’t fatal, they can still lead to catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. These injuries can lead to considerable medical bills, so victims may need to pursue a compensation claim to hold a negligent driver accountable for their financial damages. These cases can be complex, so having legal assistance is beneficial.