HOUSTON TRAGIC ACCIDENT
Houston, Texas, is no stranger to traffic accidents. Unfortunately, some of these accidents result in serious injuries or fatalities. Deadly Houston truck-bus collision on June 29, 2018, claimed 13 lives as sand truck hit senior citizens’ bus. Distracted driving consequences.
Highway 83 near the town of Concan Distracted driving consequences
The accident occurred on the southbound lanes of Highway 83 near the town of Concan. Bus transported 14 church seniors from New Braunfels, Texas, en route to a retreat. Truck swerved into oncoming lane, colliding with bus, due to driver losing control while traveling in opposite direction.
The impact was devastating. The bus was destroyed, and 12 14 passengers were killed instantly. The 13th passenger died later at a hospital. The only survivor was a man in his 60s who was airlifted to a hospital in San Antonio. The truck driver also suffered injuries, but they were not life-threatening.
The accident was so severe that emergency responders used hydraulic tools to extract the victims from the wreckage. It took several hours to clear the scene, and the highway was closed in both directions.
The accident’s cause remained unclear initially, but authorities discovered later that the truck driver was texting while driving. The 20-year-old driver faced charges of negligent homicide, resulting in a 55-year prison sentence for multiple counts.
The accident had a profound impact on the families of the victims and the community as a whole. The victims were all the First Baptist Church of New Braunfels members, and many of them had been friends for years. The church held a memorial service for the victims, which was attended by hundreds of people.
Texas Department of Transportation Distracted driving consequences
The accident also highlighted the dangers of distracted driving, particularly texting while driving. In Texas, it is illegal to text while driving, but many drivers still do it. In 2017, Texas saw 109,658 distracted driving-related crashes, causing 444 deaths and 3,087 serious injuries (Texas Department of Transportation).
To address this issue, the Texas legislature passed a law in 2017 that bans texting while driving throughout the state. The law, which was enacted in September 2017, makes it illegal to read, write, or send electronic messages while driving. Violators can be fined up to $200.
The law has been somewhat effective in reducing distracted driving. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 19% fewer crashes were attributed to distracted driving in 2018 compared to 2017. However, work must be done to make Texas roads safer.
The accident also raised questions about the safety of buses and whether they should be required to have seat belts. At the time of the accident, the bus did not have seat belts, which may have contributed to the severity of the injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the accident and recommended that all new buses be equipped with seat belts. However, no federal law requires seat belts on buses, and only a few states have passed laws requiring them.
Accident in Houston, Texas, was a tragic reminder
Houston accident was a tragic reminder of safe driving’s importance and distracted driving’s devastating consequences. Victims’ families grieve while the community rallies to provide support and comfort during their loss. It is essential that we continue to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and take steps to make our roads safer for everyone.
In conclusion, the worst car accident in Houston, Texas, that occurred on June 29, 2018, was a tragic event that resulted in the death of 13 people. The accident was caused by the truck driver’s texting while driving, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving. This accident profoundly impacted the families of the victims and the community as a whole, raising questions about the safety of buses and the need for seat belts. It is important to continue to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and take steps to make our roads safer for everyone. As drivers, we are responsible for driving safely and avoiding distractions, so we can prevent such accidents from happening again.
