The Texas Department of Transportation is responding to a recent increase in the number crashes caused by distracted driving in the state by increasing the presence of a multi-media campaign aimed at changing behavior.
Brittney Martin reports on the ongoing campaign against distracted driving in Texas, where crashes caused by distracted driving “increased 4 percent from 2012 to 2013. Almost 95,000 crashes were due to distracted driving in 2013, and they resulted in 459 fatalities.”
In response, the Texas Department of Transportation will increase the presence (although the report lacks details about how much) of its “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign. “The agency is promoting the campaign through television, radio and online advertisements, as well as on billboards and at gas pumps,” writes Martin.
The state of Texas does not have a law prohibiting texting and driving. “In 2011, the Legislature approved a measure that would make it illegal to text and drive in Texas, but Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the bill, saying that other laws covered the offense and that it was a matter of personal responsibility.” A few cities in the state, however, including Austin and San Antonio, have banned texting and driving.
FULL STORY: Rise in distracted-driving crashes prompts TxDOT to amp up safety campaign
Report: Racial Gap in Traffic Deaths Persists
Communities of color have significantly higher rates of traffic fatalities, according to federal research.
Studies on Media Coverage of Bike and Pedestrian Crashes Reveal Bias
Road safety advocates, particularly those who promote walking and biking, have long understood the importance of language, such as using "crash" rather than "accident." Two new media studies shed more light on bias in media coverage of crashes.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service