Yearly safety inspections will no longer be required to register a vehicle in Texas. Will that legal change lead to an uptick in car accidents?
Vehicle Maintenance Is a Known Safety Issue
A properly maintained vehicle is less likely to be involved in a crash than a poorly maintained one, all other things being equal. Things like worn-out brakes, broken lights, torn windshield wiper blades and more can increase the likelihood of an accident. They can also make the consequences of an accident worse.
Perhaps the most common maintenance issue leading to car accidents is faulty tires. A blown tire while driving, or bald tires making the car slip and slide—tire issues can be a serious safety concern. Because tires are expensive, people may push the limits of safety before making the decision to replace them.
Do Safety Inspections Mean Safe Cars?
Now that safety inspections will no longer be required, will that lead to an increase in unsafe vehicles on the road?
Obviously, car owners continue to be responsible for the proper maintenance of their vehicles. If your brake lights are out, the law requires you to replace them. The inspections aren’t what make proper vehicle maintenance the owner’s responsibility.
Research suggests that required vehicle safety checks have a minimal impact on crash rates. Modern cars are generally equipped with systems that inform drivers of maintenance issues, reducing the need for a mandatory inspection. A broken taillight or underinflated tire now leads to a dashboard warning telling you to fix the problem.
Many maintenance issues are handled outside of the context of safety inspections. Vehicle owners have a personal stake in making sure their cars are safe to operate. For most people, a desire for safety, rather than the results of a required inspection, will continue to drive their maintenance decisions.
What Causes Car Accident Deaths?
The most serious car crashes involve fatalities. Safety groups track these accidents to try to learn how to prevent them. Maintenance issues are not among the most common causes of fatal car accidents. Speeding and drunk driving are still much more common problems when it comes to the worst accidents.
Lack of seatbelt use, while not a maintenance issue, is also a prominent cause of car accident deaths. That highlights an important issue related to maintenance.
The safety features of your car are only effective if you use them properly. Things like backup cameras, lane departure warnings and seat belts won’t help you avoid accidents if you don’t use them. It’s important to get into good habits and use all safety features correctly.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney After an Accident
Identifying the cause of an accident isn’t always easy. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. At The Fell Law Firm, our Dallas car accident lawyers have the skill to represent you. Call us at 972-450-1418 to schedule an initial consultation.
