A number of new traffic-related laws recently passed by the Texas state legislature will be going into effect on September 1st. Many of these laws are aimed directly at reducing the number of car accidents and accident-related fatalities on Texas roadways.
Here are some highlights from the list released by the Texas Department of Public Safety:
HB 537: More than half of all people killed in car accidents in Texas in 2008 were not wearing seatbelts at the time. Texas lawmakers hope to reduce this number by requiring all occupants of a vehicle to be secured by a safety belt, regardless of where they are sitting.
SB 61: Also addressing restraint usage, this law requires that all children younger than 8 (unless they are at least 4’9”) be restrained in an approved child safety seat.
HB 55: Driver inattention was doubtless a factor in many of the 60,000+ serious injury accidents in Texas in 2008. To help protect children, and to keep driver attention on the road, HB 55 prohibits the use of wireless communication devices in a school zone unless the car is stopped or a hands-free device is being used.
HB 2730: In 2008, 975 people were killed in Texas in car accidents involving a drunk driver. Lawmakers are cracking down on drunk drivers with this law that ups the penalty for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger. Under HB 2730, first-time offenders will automatically have their license suspended, with increased suspension periods for repeat offenders.
Click here to read more about these and the other traffic laws to take effect on September 1st.
Fears | Nachawati is a Texas personal injury law firm that represents victims of car accidents. Email us at info@fnlawfirm.com or call us on our toll-free number at 1.866.705.7584 for a free consultation.
