Texas law does not prohibit wearing headphones while driving, and neither does Dallas city ordinances. While Texas law has deemed certain activities too distracting to be done while driving a motor vehicle, wearing headphones is not one of them.
While, you can legally drive while wearing headphones in Dallas, that doesn’t mean a driver wearing headphones cannot be cited for distracted driving if you are involved in a car accident.
What Texas Law Says About Distracted Driving
The only type of distracting activity that the Transportation Code prohibits all Texas drivers from doing while a vehicle is moving is reading, writing, or sending an electronic message from a handheld portable wireless communication device.
It is not a violation of the law to read, write, or send an electronic message if it can be done hands-free. Furthermore, it is not a violation of the law to drive while using a handheld cell phone to:
- Report a crime
- Summon emergency assistance
- Get directions and traffic information
- Activate a music source
While it may not be a crime to drive while trying to read a map of directions on your cell phone (unless you’re in a school zone or younger than 18), it is arguably still distracted driving to the extent your attention is on the phone and not on the road.
City of Dallas Vision Zero Action Plan
The City of Dallas has set the ambitious goal of eliminating all traffic-related deaths and reducing serious injuries from crashes by 50% by 2030. The plan, known as Vision Zero, is created with the belief that serious motor vehicle accidents can be prevented using a safe system approach designed to accommodate inevitable human error.
Community surveys were conducted to determine the city’s top traffic safety priorities. The majority of respondents indicated that they did not feel safe driving in Dallas. Driver distraction was the second biggest concern, with 64% of those surveyed indicating it was a serious threat to traffic safety.
Vision Zero places more responsibility on those who design transportation systems to develop innovative solutions that will prevent serious crashes despite driver behavior.
Tips to Avoid Driving Distractions
The best way to avoid distraction while driving is to be aware of the danger and make a plan before getting behind the wheel. That plan should include doing everything possible to reduce the risk of distraction while driving.
For some people, it may mean using the ‘do not disturb’ feature on electronic devices or setting the destination on a navigational device before beginning the journey. Making conscious choices about food and drink in the car can help avoid distracting spills or messes. If a sudden event happens that distracts you, focusing on what you are doing and pulling over before trying to deal with it can help you prevent an accident.
It’s probably unrealistic to expect all drivers to avoid all distractions all of the time. However, having the appropriate respect for the amount of attention necessary to drive safely and doing everything possible to reduce the risk of distraction will go a long way toward helping everyone stay safe on the roadways.
Get Help if You Were Hit by a Distracted Driver
Distracted driving is perceived to be one of the top crash hazards on Dallas roadways. Distraction may play an even bigger role in traffic accidents than is currently reported because objective evidence of driver distraction doesn’t always exist. At Wolf Law, PLLC, we understand the danger of car accidents when drivers are distracted and how devastating the results can be. Our experienced car accident attorneys have a track record of taking on tough cases and getting successful results for our clients.