Making Texas roads safer from drunk drivers

Texas has one of the worst traffic records in the United States in terms of auto accident injuries and deaths. In 2003, there were 3,675 people killed in auto accidents, second only to California. Texas led the way though in alcohol-related deaths at 1,709 – about 10% of the total number of alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. About 47% of all roadway deaths in Texas involved drivers with a Blood-Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08% or higher.

Despite the grim numbers, they actually show an improvement over past years. In 2000, there were 3,769 motorist vehicle deaths in Texas, with 50% of those in alcohol-related accidents. And in 1995, 56% involved alcohol.

There are several reasons why drunk-drivers kill more people in Texas. Most notably, the state has had a history of much looser drinking and driving laws. At a time when most states enforced .08% BAC as the legal level of intoxication for adults and zero-tolerance for new drivers, Texas accepted .1% across the board.

However traffic laws have changed dramatically in the last decade, especially those revolving around DWI rules. In 1995, the Texas Legislature enacted a law that allowed police and law enforcement to revoke drivers’ licenses on the spot if a driver was found to be intoxicated. In 1997, the state enacted a zero-alcohol law for drivers under the age of 21, and then in reduced the legal limit for adults to .08% BAC for drivers 21 and older in 1999.

In 2001, state legislature introduced a number of measures including an open container law, making it illegal to travel with open alcohol in the vehicle, and increased drunk driving penalties.

Despite tightening the laws, Texas still falls behind most other states as the stats clearly show. The state seems to be trying to meet minimum requirements set by federal standards to keep the federal highway construction and maintenance dollars coming in, but even here it is failing. The Texas Legislature is struggling to balance personal liberties and growing public concern for highway safety – not an easy job. But in the meantime, drunk driving continues to claim too many lives in Texas. Even though there are signs of turnaround, it doesn’t seem to be enough.

If you have been hit by a drunk driver, contact a personal injury attorney at Jim S. Adler & Associates. We have over 30 years of litigation experience helping our clients get full compensation from drunk and otherwise negligent drivers. Contact us right now by calling 1-800-505-1414 or by filling out the online form for a free case review.