TEXAS — Getting behind the wheel in Texas means a larger risk of an accident involving an unlicensed driver than anywhere else in the country, data shows. This was especially true during the holiday season when an increase of travel was present.
A new report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that more than 18,000 crashes in Texas involved an unlicensed driver over a five-year span. That accounted for 31% of all crashes reported for the state.
In addition, researchers found that nearly 20% of pedestrian deaths in Texas involved an unlicensed driver. Nationwide, about one in five pedestrian deaths are tied to a vehicle driven by an unlicensed person.
This trend rings true throughout the country, although Texas pulls the lead. Hawaii, North Carolina, Louisiana, Nevada, Colorado, Indiana, Alaska, California and Tennessee make up the top 10. Even so, North Carolina was the closest among the other states to Texas’ number, with 7,200 crashes. Texas more than doubled that number.
Experts say Texas’ high numbers are due to insurance coverage, license enforcement and training issues.