Why Does Austin Have So Many Traffic Accidents and Injuries?
Just like any other big city, Austin, Texas has its share of car wrecks and injuries.
But as it turns out, we have more than our share! The Austin American Statesman even asked the question in one of their recent articles: “Does Austin Have the Worst Drivers in Texas?” The short answer is yes. The long answer is a little more complicated.
According to the Statesman, Austin is the worst city in Texas for bad driving and ranks 30th out of all U.S. cities. The facts come from a company called Quote Wizard who conducted a study of bad driving and ranked the 75 most dangerous cities in the country for bad drivers. No wonder we have so many traffic accidents!
So what is “bad driving?” The research from Quote Wizard used a range of criteria including:
- Running a red light
- Accidents
- Speeding tickets
- DUIs
- Citations for cell phone use and similar infractions
The criteria for what constitutes a bad driver range from the incidental to the life-threatening. Put it all together, and you have a city that seems to be full of drivers that just can’t keep their eyes on the road or obey traffic laws and a high risk of personal injury.
But why?
We can’t blame it on our large population. Other cities with larger populations don’t have near the number of bad drivers as Austin. Could it be the large population of college-aged drivers texting and talking on the phone? Is it the seemingly illogical layout of many of the roads and highways, like I-35 and the Mopac? Maybe it’s the never-ending construction and rerouting that’s to blame.
There is no single answer of course. It’s most likely a combination of all the factors above. Until we find the answer though, the chances are good that you or someone you know will eventually get into an accident. When it does happen, make sure you seek the advice of an experienced auto accident attorney at Briggle & Polan, PLLC.
