Share the Road

Be aware, pay attention.

Local municipalities, such as Pinehurst and the City of Orange, recently have issued proclamations declaring May Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.

The Texas Department of Transportation launched the “Share the Road” campaign which aims to reduce Texas motorcycle accidents.

While auto accident fatalities have decreased in recent years, more people are dying on motorcycles than ever before. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a person riding a motorcycle has a five times greater chance of being injured in a crash and a 25 times greater chance of dying in a collision.

In Texas, 429 motorcyclists were killed in 2010. This represents 14% of the state’s fatalities cause by motor vehicles. Approximately one-third of those fatality accidents happened at an intersection. Of those motorcycle fatalities, 85 were between the ages of 13 - 26.

In 2011, 470 motorcyclists were killed on Texas roads, representing 16% of all motor vehicle deaths for that same year and 5,770 motorcyclists were seriously injured.

The number of motorcycles registered within the state has more than doubled in the last decade as well as the number of motorcyclist killed.

The Texas Department of Transportation recommends:

• Look twice at intersections: Watch out for cyclists at intersections and check mirrors regularly and clearly signal your intentions.

• Give motorcycle space: Don’t follow a motorcycle too closely. Allow a full lane of travel space between your vehicle and a motorcycle.

• Anticipate next steps: Obstructions that drivers do not notice could prove to be fatal for a motorcyclist.

__________________
source: The Orange Leader (Burleigh, 5/3)

Statewide "No Refusal Weekend" in Effect for July 4th Holiday

The July 4 holiday weekend is notoriously one of the most dangerous time of year for Texas drives. So today law enforcement agencies across the state announced a new initiative to keep drivers safe. It's the first ever of its kind in the nation, a state-wide "No Refusal Weekend."

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association shows that over the past 25 years about half of the crashes over the holiday involve alcohol.

Texas is the deadliest state in the nation when it comes to DWI fatalities. Texas statutes designed to decrease the carnage on our roads have been effective to a degree, but many measures seem to have limited success in further curbing the number of deaths.

Last year in Texas alone, officers responded to 337,000 crashes over a three-day time span. This year, the state is stepping up enforcement. Agencies are dispatching additional officers to the road searching for suspected drunk drivers. In participating counties, they will not take "no" for an answer.

TxDOT has posted this video to their YouTube channel explaining what happens if you decide to get behind the wheel after you've been drinking during a "no refusal" weekend.

The "no refusal" program is the plan created by Montgomery County prosecutor Warren Diepraam several years ago. Diepraam says it's getting results.

Anyone who is pulled over for suspected drunk driving will have to either submit to a breath test or have their blood drawn. Officials say it takes as little as 15 minutes to secure a warrant for a blood draw and five minutes after that to get the blood drawn.

If you do happened to be involved in an automotive accident, chances are you can benefit from the services of Texas Injury Lawyer.

Let our experience, commitment and fight work to get you the money you deserve to rebuild your life. Our commitment to you: We will not be out worked!

Contact us today for a free consultation.