Everyone understands how dangerous it is to drive while distracted, particularly when using a cell phone. Despite this, many of us continue to do the same thing. Some cities have much more casualties as a result of accidents than others. This quantity is determined by a variety of factors, including infrastructure and law enforcement.
A survey found that 40% of Texan drivers said they use their phones “Sometimes” or “Always” while driving, which is likely lower than the actual amount. In September 2017, Texas lawmakers imposed a statewide ban on texting while driving.
Here is a list of Texas’ top ten riskiest cities based on the number of cell phone-related injuries and crashes per 100,000 residents over the last five years.
1. Waco
Waco ranks tenth among Texas communities with the highest incidence of cell phone collision injuries. Waco has had 158 cell phone crashes in the last five years, ranking tenth in Texas. The 158 accidents resulted in one death and ninety-one injuries.
2. Pharr
Pharr, Texas is ranked ninth. Despite having a population of just more than 74,000, Pharr has had 17.4 texting and driving accidents and 14.1 injuries per year over the last five years. Fortunately, no one has died as a result of any of these cell phone mishaps.
3. Conroe
Conroe, Texas is located around 40 miles north of Houston. Despite its relatively modest population of just more than 65,000 people, this city has recorded 62 cell phone-related incidents since 2013.
4. McAllen
Over the last five years, cell phone crashes have resulted in an average of 14.54 injuries per 100,000 people in McAllen. This includes one tragic death and 102 injuries caused by cell phone accidents.
5. Harlingen
With an average of 14.6 injuries per 100,000 people, the “Capital of the Rio Grand Valley” is sixth on our list of cities where cell phone accidents are the primary cause of injury. One person has died and forty-eight others have been injured as a result of cell phone crashes in Harlingen.
6. Grapevine
The city of Grapevine, located outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area, ranks sixth on our list. Despite its small population of about 51,000, nearly half of all cell phone-related accidents result in injury.
7. Abilene
The next stop on our journey is Abilene, Texas, which is located in the heart of West Texas and has a population of 121,000. The city of Abilene has come to a halt in terms of cell phone-related occurrences resulting in injury. The number of cell phone accidents has been pretty stable over the last five years. To add insult to injury, 4.2% of cell phone accidents result in lifelong impairment.
8. Irving
Irving, Texas has breathtaking sunsets, a bustling arts and culture scene, and, regrettably, a reputation as one of Texas’ most dangerous cities for cell phone-related accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly three-quarters of the 317 recorded accidents involving texting drivers resulted in injuries.
9. Richardson
We have Richardson at number two. In Richardson, which has a population of about 111,000 people, there have been 206 documented injuries as a result of cell phone accidents in the last five years. There were 317 cell phone accidents throughout that time, with 65% of them resulting in injury.
10. Longview
According to our data, Longview is Texas’ most risky city for cell phone accidents. Longview’s total cell phone crash injury rate is more than seven times higher than the next closest city, with 24.31 injuries per 100,000 people. Over the last five years, Longview has documented 141 cell phone-related incidents, resulting in 100 injuries and four deaths.
Final Words
Finally, Texas faces a huge difficulty with mobile phone-related accidents, particularly in areas such as Longview, Richardson, and Irving, where high rates of injuries and fatalities continue despite attempts to reduce distracted driving. The findings highlight the critical need for ongoing awareness initiatives, law enforcement, and infrastructural improvements to address this widespread safety issue.