Authorities in Texas developed a plan to increase awareness of the dangers of reckless driving in a simple and budget-friendly manner. They determined an appropriate way to do this was by placing digital signs along the roads that would post the annual highway death tolls. While these signs did get the attention of passing motorists, statistics indicate that they may have worked too well, causing a dangerous level of distraction.
An attempt to prevent accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of death across the United States. Reminders of how dangerous reckless driving can be may seem like practical way to encourage safer driving, but digital signs may not be the best way to accomplish this. They may actually encourage distraction as drivers attempt to look at the signs as they drive by.
A recent study found that drivers who passed these signs were actually 4.5 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident within the next six miles. Estimates suggest that the roadside signs actually caused an additional 16 deaths and approximately 2,600 additional accidents. This also contributed to significant financial loss for the state of Texas as well.
Distraction and other causes of accidents
Those harmed in motor vehicle accidents may have grounds to pursue legal action in the form of a civil claim. An assessment of the specific accident case may determine if external factors, such as the actions of another driver, contributed to the crash. If a driver believes he or she may have a claim, it could be useful to seek the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney.