April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and state officials across the country are reminding residents about the dangers of driving distracted on public roads and highways. As part of their own efforts to make Texas roads safer places, the Texas Department of Transportation launched its annual “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign earlier this month.

The “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign mirrors national movements to raise awareness about the problem of distracted driving and to educate motorists about prevention. Here are few key points about the campaign and the state’s distracted driving problem as cited by TxDOT officials:

• Close to 1 out of every 5 auto accidents in Texas are caused by a distracted driver.
• In 2014, 468 people were killed as a result of distracted driving accidents. Officials believe the problem is getting worse.
• Driver distraction takes many forms, including texting and using cell phones, talking to passengers, eating, and performing any activity that draws attention away from the primary act of driving.
• TxDOT officials encourage motorists to avoid distractions before arriving at their destinations. Do your part to put an end to preventable accidents.

Although the state of Texas does not have a statewide law banning texting and cell phone use while driving for all motorists, there are many jurisdictions that do. In Austin, for example, a law prohibiting texting while driving (when the vehicle is actually moving) went into effect for all drivers earlier this year.

Distracted Driving injures and kills thousands of innocent victims each year - and it is in every way preventable. At The Daspit Law Firm, our Austin injury lawyers encourage everyone to remain safe on the roadways and offer our full support to any accident victims in need.