East Texans Nearly Twice as Likely to Get into a Car Wreck

TYLER—A new study shows East Texas has eighty-six percent more car crashes than the rest of Texas.

So a new partnership called Pay Attention East Texas is trying to make East Texans more responsible drivers.

Representatives from the group say geography plays a part in the high rate of crashes.

"We have so many trees. In addition to, we have quite a bit of rain," Trooper Jeanne Dark with the Texas Department of Public Safety says.

But, they say it really comes down to drivers just not paying attention.

"Eating, text messaging, talking on the cell phone," Trooper Dark adds.

The coalition will focus on bringing awareness to driving hazards like distractions, speed, impairment, and inexperience.

"It could happen anywhere, so we need to be careful," Dr. Paul McGaha from the Texas Department of State Health Services says.

Because they say if you just pay attention, the end result could be much less tragic.