According to the Houston Chronicle, Texas is one of the worst states for highway safety laws. For anyone who’s driven recently in South Texas, especially around the 18-wheelers and large commercial trucks from the Eagle Ford Shale, you already might’ve guessed that the law hasn’t kept up with driving conditions.
As Erin Mulvaney reports, there’s been at least one auto fatality on Texas roadways every day since Nov. 7, 2000. In other words, that date was the last date someone didn’t lose their life while out on the road.
Mulvaney quotes Mothers Against Drunk Driving President Jan Withers: “We know what works to reduce and eventually eliminate drunk driving from our roads. We now call on state legislatures across the country to do their part.”
Their “part,” presumably, would be requiring ignition interlocks on vehicles driven by first-time DWI offenders, as one example. With an ignition interlock, a driver presumably cannot operate the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety also recommends, in addition to strengthened drunk-driving laws, laws to curb distracted driving like texting and more teen driver laws to regulate the licensing of young drivers with a lack of experience.
Source: National road safety report shows Texas lacks key laws