The Texas Department of Transportation brought its “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign to Brownwood Monday to urge drivers to put down the phone and minimize distractions or else run the risk of crashing. Across the state in 2014, there were 100,917 distracted-driving crashes resulting in 483 fatalities and more than 3,000 serious injuries. Last year in Brownwood, there were 64 motor vehicle crashes due to driver inattention, resulting in one serious injury.
“In Texas, texting, talking and other distractions cause nearly 1 in 5 traffic crashes,” said John Barton TxDOT deputy executive director. “Through our ‘Talk, Text, Crash’ campaign, we remind drivers that talking, texting, eating or even changing the radio station while driving can lead to serious injury or death. Driving requires your full attention. Anything less jeopardizes you, your loved ones and everyone else on the road.”
Several startling statistics were shared by local officials.
“Compared to 2013, distracted-driving crashes in Texas last year increased by 6 percent,” explained Chelsea Humprey of TxDOT’s Brownwood District. “Distracted-driving crashes and fatalities in Texas are highest among drivers ages 16 to 24, followed by adults over the age of 45.”
According to the Texas Transportation Institute, nearly 45 percent of Texas drivers admitted to using a mobile phone while driving, even though 83 percent of them agreed that talking on mobile phones while driving is dangerous.
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes stated, “Distracted driving is an issue that affects everyone that uses our roadways. You’ve already heard that Texas saw more than 100,000 crashes in 2014 that involved distracted driving. We want to lower that number, and we can lower that number. Put your phone down in the car, don’t call anyone, don’t answer if someone calls you and don’t even think about texting.”
The “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign warns drivers to refrain from multitasking while driving. If a call or other task cannot wait, drivers are advised to safely pull over and park before shifting their focus from the road. While cell phone use is the most recognized driving distraction, the campaign reminds drivers that high-risk, behind-the-wheel activities can also include checking email, eating and drinking, grooming, reading, programming a navigation system, watching a video, adjusting a radio, CD player or other audio device.
“The truth is anything that you do in your vehicle other than operating your car is a distraction and you are putting yourself and others on the roadway in danger. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. So please take your driving seriously, pay attention to the traffic that is around you and watch what you are doing,” said Mayor Haynes. “Distracted driving is 100% preventable. So let’s all make a special effort to pay attention in our cars and on the roadway, so that we can all arrive safely.”
“It’s very simple and it’s very clear, distracted driving is very serious. It takes its tolls in many ways: property damage, psychological and physical injuries and most tragically, human lives. Drivers that use a a cell phone are 4 times as likely to be involved in a serious crash. Just think about that,” said Chief of Police Mike Corley. He reminded those attending that using a cell phone in a school zone is illegal, as is the any use of a cell phone while driving for anyone under the age of 18. “Our laws are already showing us how important of an issue distracted driving is. Safe driving is a complicated thing to do. It takes all of our undivided attention. Just think about all the things you have to think about, do, see, and react to. To be a good, safe driver, you have got to have your attention on just driving and not be distracted. So I ask you, please help us change the trend. Our message today is simple, ‘Talk, Text, Crash.’”
Angie Fields of Finish Line Driving School gave additional statistics. She explained that 153 billion text messages are sent on average each month in the United States. According to the U.S. Transporation Board, 660,000 drivers across the nation use cell phones or other electronic devices while driving. 10% of drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were distracted drivers.
Tickets for distracted driving range from $200-500, but do not compare to the cost of human lives lost to distracted driving, explained Humphrey.
Pictured above in front of the giant broken cell phone of the “Text, Talk, Crash” campaign, are: Brownwood Mayor Haynes, Angie Fields, BPD Chief Mike Corley, Chelsea Humphrey of TxDOT, and TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist Jeanni Luckey.
Below is another photo of the event display as seen Monday morning in front of the Brownwood Museum of History.
