Austin Auto Accident Attorney Tony R. Bertolino Weighs in on Distracted Driving Study
Austin, TX (PRWEB) March 20, 2014 -- Austin, TX car accident attorney Tony R. Bertolino today applauded the City Council for creating a distracted driving study group to consider expanding the current ordinance making it illegal to text and drive. The proposal to expand the ban to cover other distractions has sparked a debate about the regulation of personal behavior, according to a March 4 report in MyFoxAustin.com.
“I understand the concern over regulating what people can or cannot do, but we always should consider the impact personal behavior has on the safety of others,” said Bertolino, managing attorney for Bertolino LLP. “Distracted driving comes in many forms. Text messaging is one of the most talked about distractions nowadays, but we also see drivers who are eating, reading or changing stations on a radio. We even see people putting on makeup or shaving while driving.”
According to MyFoxAustin, state records show that distracted driving caused 90,000 accidents in Texas in 2012. The report states that 18,468 people were seriously injured and 453 people were killed.
The City Council about five years ago approved an ordinance making texting and driving illegal, according to MyFoxAustin, which quoted Councilor Mike Martinez who said it may be time to expand the law to cover other types of distractions. The distracted driving study group could present a report by late spring, according to MyFoxAustin.
“As an injury attorney, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of distracted driving accidents in Austin,” Bertolino said. “That’s why I’m pleased to learn that the City Council is looking for ways to make our roads safer. While the concerns over government regulation of personal behavior are valid and the issue should be debated, I firmly believe we need to do more to get drivers in Austin to avoid distractions.”
Bertolino said ordinances such as Austin’s ban on texting while driving might reduce the number of accidents, but ultimately it’s up to drivers to make responsible choices.
“Even in Austin, where it’s illegal to text and drive, we see drivers who break the law and put everyone sharing the road at risk,” Bertolino said. “If you have been injured by a distracted driver, be it someone who was texting or someone who was gazing at something on the side of the road, you should seek the advice of legal counsel. An attorney can help you pursue compensation and send a message that distracted drivers who cause accidents will be held accountable.”
The MyFoxAustin story cited is “Austin approves distracted driving study.”
About Bertolino LLP
Bertolino LLP is a Texas law firm with a reputation for providing quality legal services in Austin, TX, Houston, TX and San Antonio, TX. The versatile attorneys handle a wide range of legal issues, including automobile accidents, personal injury, estates and wills, professional licensure and workplace discrimination. Contact Bertolino LLP today to discuss your situation, or visit http://www.belolaw.com.
For more information about what to do if you have faced injury or property damage as a result of another person’s distracted driving, call (800) 210-0126 or complete the online contact form.
Bertolino LLP
823 Congress Avenue
Suite 704
Austin, Texas 78701
http://www.belolaw.com
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
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