I-35 is One of Texas’ Deadliest Highways for Truck Accidents
Many people in Central Texas use I-35 every day but according to a new study, it is the second deadliest roadway for truck accidents in The Lone Star State. The only roadway with more fatal crashes than I-35 is Interstate 10.
The Texas Department of Public Safety says one of the reasons I-35 is so dangerous is because people often drive while distracted on this highway, and they also follow too closely. Below, our 18-wheeler accident attorney in San Antonio explains further.
Distracted Driving on I-35
The case of Tracy Rambosek is a tragic example of distracted driving on I-35. Tracy was just about to retire with her husband. She was a wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband were looking forward to settling into a property they had just purchased when her car broke down in the middle of I-35 in the spring of 2024. The driver of a tractor trailer was behind her and unfortunately, was distracted by his cell phone. The commercial truck slammed into the back of Tracy’s Ford Bronco and killed her.
Using a handheld device while driving is extremely dangerous behavior, as it essentially renders motorists blind. It takes fewer than five seconds to read an incoming text message and in that same amount of time, a vehicle traveling at 55 miles per hour can travel the length of an entire football field. When motorists are distracted, they can cause a great deal of destruction in this amount of time.
Following Too Closely
Another cause of fatal accidents on I-35 is that people follow too closely. Much of the time motorists, including truck drivers, do this because they simply do not realize they are not leaving enough space between them and the driver in front of them. To drive safely, it is always recommended that drives leave two seconds between them and the vehicle they are following. In other instances, following too closely is a result of distracted driving. Motorists take their eyes off of the road and again, simply do not realize they are following too closely.
People sometimes follow other drivers too closely due to road rage or aggression. It is sometimes a way to alert the driver in front that they are driving too slowly and that the driver in the back wants to pass them. Of course, this is not excusable, as often the motorist in front is simply driving at the posted speed limit.
Our 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney in San Antonio Can Help After a Crash
The most serious accidents are those that involve commercial vehicles and those that happen on high speed roadways. When these two factors are combined, accidents can have the most dire consequences. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio 18-wheeler accident attorney has seen the most tragic results of commercial vehicle accidents and knows how to help injured individuals in the aftermath. We can help you, too. Call us today at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get more information.
Source:
kxxv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/i-35-named-2nd-deadliest-roadway-in-texas
