Law enforcement is starting to crack down on distracted driving around the country. While texting is the poster child of distracted driving campaigns, many police officers will pull people over for any activity that may impair driving. Eating/drinking, using a GPS system, watching a video, or adjusting the radio are all viable types of distracted driving. Texas Cell Phone Laws The state of Texas has not enacted comprehensive cellphone laws yet. If you are an adult driving in the countryside, you can still use your cellphone while driving. While there aren’t any specific laws for adults over the age of 18,…

Wrong Way Drivers in Austin Texas According to NHTSA, more than 1,500 crashes involving wrong way drivers occur each year taking nearly 260 lives.  As we all know, 2015 was the deadliest year on the roads in Austin’s history. It seems 2016 is tracking 2015. This week alone there were three separate fatal collisions. Most recently four people were killed on Interstate 35 at the Kyle Parkway exit after a wrong-way driver crashed into their minivan. This preventable crash happened around 1 a.m. Friday morning and authorities believe alcohol could have played a role. The scene was horrific according to…

Playing football is a rite of passage for many American youths. In some states, such as Texas, it’s a way of life. Playing sports in school teaches collaboration, discipline, and strategy, but is there something more sinister lurking under the surface of pep rallies and weekday practices? The Risk of Youth Sports Injuries In 2015, five high school football players died after suffering an on-field injury. From 2005—2014, 92 high school players died from causes associated with the sport. When news broadcasts and physicians warn parents about the risks of contact sports such as football, they’re not exaggerating. Head injuries, heat…

Before starting to bicycle in any urban environment, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with state and local laws. Every state is different, and some counties and cities also have their own rules when it comes to this activity. Here are the laws you need to know before you head out to cycle in and around Austin. Local Bike Laws in Austin These laws apply within the city limits of Austin: Helmet requirement. Every child younger than 18 years old must wear a helmet while bicycling. Riding on sidewalks. Sidewalk riding is banned in most areas of the city. Ride…

On February 1, Austin’s new rideshare ordinance goes into effect. The statute was approved this past December in a 9-2 vote and will require rideshare service drivers, such as Uber and Lyft, to undergo fingerprint background checks before they can chauffer passengers. Companies will have 12 months from the effective start date to bring their company policies into compliance with the local ordinance. The popular rideshare companies are less than thrilled with the new requirement, and both Lyft and Uber have publicly stated that the ordinance will drive their services out of the city. The companies believe the rules are…

So you’ve turned your attention away from the road for a moment while switching radio stations, and before you can slam on the brakes, you’ve rear-ended the car in front of you. Aside from exchanging both personal and car insurance information with the other driver, you need to know where your state stands in terms of responsibility for the accident. States like Texas uses a “fault” system when it comes to auto insurance. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, this means that you are responsible for covering any damage in an accident that you cause. Conversely, “no-fault” states require…

Texas leads the nation in flood-related deaths and holds about half of the world records for highest rainfall rates in less than 48 hours. Austin lies in the center of Flash Flood Alley (from San Antonio to Dallas), where flash flooding is the number one natural disaster threat to the area. Flash floods have been the number one storm-related killer for the past 25 years in Austin, with about 10 percent of the land in Austin inside the floodplain. Six months ago, the historic Memorial Day Floods damaged nearly 350 homes, most of which were not covered by insurance, and…

Austin police are currently investigating seven claims against Uber and Lyft drivers who have been accused of sexually assaulting passengers over the past few months. The ride-sharing businesses have only been operating in the city for about a year, and yet five claims against Uber and two against Lyft have brought both companies under fire. The complaints were received between April and August, and each case claims to have occurred late at night when the rider was alone with the driver. Currently, no arrests have been made and the cases are still under investigation. Allegations against Uber drivers have been reported…

Traffic deaths in Austin are moving towards a record high in 2015. Currently, 1986 holds the record as the year with the highest number of deaths at 81. There have already been 81 deaths recorded this year, with months still remaining. In an attempt to lessen the mortality risk, Austin is spending $3.8 million to improve five of the city’s most dangerous intersections. These intersections were responsible for 250 accidents and one death between 2012 and 2014. While these improvements are aimed at enhancing safety, it is always important to be cautious. Below is a list of the five most…

Last year, there were over 13,500 serious injury crashes in Texas. Any car accident involving serious injury is often traumatizing, and remembering what to do afterwards can be very difficult. However, recording the correct information will help with any insurance claims or litigation. Having a set checklist of what needs to be done can be a useful tool to prevent you from any headache down the road. After the Accident If you have been in a collision, note your surroundings to make sure you are safe. If you can, move your car to a secure location, such as the shoulder,…