The state of Texas looks to combat distracted driving

An estimated 1 in 5 traffic crashes in Texas is caused by distracted driving, and the problem is only getting worse.

The Texas Department of Transportation is trying to make drivers change their habits with a new campaign focused on driver alertness.

The launch of the campaign called “Talk. Text. Crash.” correlates with April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

TxDOT’S executive director said last year, there were nearly 109,000 distracted driving crashes in Texas, resulting in the deaths of 452 people.

Some tips include:

– Put away your phone, or even turn it off when driving
– Pull over if you have to take a call or send a text
– Use an app that blocks texts and calls

The hope is that if drivers change their habits over the next month they will keep it up indefinitely.

Read more about the campaign and see the ads and videos that will be played statewide during April here.