82R12371 MGR-D
By: Craddick H.C.R. No. 114
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Distracted driving, which encompasses risky actions
such as talking on a cell phone, texting, eating, or putting on
makeup while behind the wheel, killed nearly 5,500 people in the
United States in 2009; and
WHEREAS, According to figures collected by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16 percent of fatal crashes
in 2009 were attributed to distracted driving, and an even higher
percentage of crashes resulting in injuries were reported to
involve distracted drivers; astonishingly, data on driver
electronic device use suggested that at any given daylight moment,
nine percent of all drivers on U.S. roads were using some type of
phone; and
WHEREAS, A poll conducted for an insurance comparison website
in 2010 found that 93 percent of American drivers engage in various
forms of distracted driving, 70 percent of those between the ages of
18 and 24 admitted to texting and driving, and 4 in 10 American
adults acknowledged that being distracted while driving caused them
to swerve, slam on the brakes, get a ticket, nearly get into an
accident, or experience a minor or major wreck; the poll further
established that drivers with more income and education were more
likely to drive while distracted; and
WHEREAS, Whether due to visual, manual, or cognitive
distractions, distracted driving takes a heavy toll on Americans,
and it is also expensive, resulting in claims payments that
increase insurance premiums for everyone; the serious costs of
distracted driving were recently noted in a series of New York Times
articles by Matt Richtel, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 2010, and
Webster's New World College Dictionary selected "distracted
driving" as their word of the year for 2009; in addition, the United
States Congress recognized April 2010 as National Distracted
Driving Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, The Lone Star State needs Texas drivers to better
understand the dangers of distracted driving and continue to
address this growing problem that threatens all who use our streets
and highways; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate April 2011 as Distracted Driving Awareness Month
and urge all members of the motoring public to support this
worthwhile event.