# Apps Like Snapchat Causing Dangerous Distracted Driving | Attorney Brian White [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/) is a big state.  The vast highways throughout the state encourage long road trips to explore the state.  For decades, Texans have taken to the highways on vacation to explore every inch of the state – from [Big Bend](https://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm) to [Amarillo](https://www.amarillo.gov/).  Unfortunately, the increasing use of smartphones has caused a staggering number of distracted driving accidents throughout the state. Texas has unleashed campaign after campaign to correct this behavior and punish smartphone users who insist on using their phone while driving.  For years, the biggest issue was the impact of drivers “texting while driving.”  This inevitably emerged to drivers who posted Facebook status updates while driving. The newest smartphone app to plague law enforcement officers and innocent drivers on roadways is the [Snapchat app](https://www.snapchat.com/). Snapchat was first released in 2011 and was intended to be a platform for users to post “selfies” which were short-lived and self-deleting.  The temporary nature of the app and the photos were intended to encourage users to think outside the box, thereby leading to a more natural interaction.  As of January 2016, Snapchat had 7 billion video views per day, with approximately 100 million daily active users. Snapchat has evolved to also incorporate filters that detect the current speed the user is going at, thereby encouraging users to actively Snapchat and drive.  Unfortunately, this has led to dire consequences for all drivers on the roadway who are the victims of “Snapchat while driving.”  The need to want to have a Snapchat photo which detects a speed of greater than 100 MPH has led to extreme accidents throughout the country. Snapchat largely appeals to a younger generation who are inexperienced drivers and therefore more prone to accidents from the onset.  The impact of further distractions such as Snapchat only add to the potential for accidents.   [Distracted driving](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/distracted-driving-the-link-between-cell-phones-and-car-accidents/) has long been found to be nearly as dangerous as [drunk driving](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/dui/) (particularly due to its pervasive nature), and responsible for serious and tragic accidents throughout the state.  Distracted drivers often do not see a child cross the road, or a car signals a turn into their lane.  The failure to see this type of signal at all could have a devastating impact on the unsuspecting victim.  The [AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety](https://aaafoundation.org/) conducted a study in 2006 which noted that taking your eyes off the road for more than 2 seconds doubles your risk for a crash.  Typical posts on Snapchat are 10 seconds long, and taking your eyes off the road to record a Snapchat and post the video or photo could take much longer than 2 seconds, greatly increasing the chance of an accident. Some cities throughout Texas have gone so far as to ban all cell phone use in vehicles within the city.  Other cities have posted similar bans, although only in school zones.  All Texans should be aware of these laws and the resulting penalties that can occur from the failure to abide by these laws.  After so many driving citations, a driver may be subject to misdemeanor penalties, which could impact their criminal record.  A driver may also face criminal charges if they cause a severe [accident due to driver distraction.](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/distracted-driving/) There have been devastating reports of teenagers killed by car accidents or severely injured after using Snapchat while driving.  The aftermath of these accidents not only causes grave injuries to everyone involved but could also lead to criminal charges for the driver using Snapchat while driving. ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![What to Know About Car Accident Reports in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/What-to-Know-About-Car-Accident-Reports-in-Houston-300x200.jpeg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-know-about-car-accident-reports-in-houston/) [What to Know About Car Accident Reports in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-know-about-car-accident-reports-in-houston/) If you've been involved in a car accident in Houston, a car accident report can help you if you ever need to file an [![Cypress Car Accident Statistics](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/cypress-car-accident-statistics/) [Cypress Car Accident Statistics](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/cypress-car-accident-statistics/) Have you been injured in a car accident in Cypress, Texas? If you were hurt because of another driver’s [![Intersection Collisions: Why Are There So Many And How Can You Protect Yourself?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Intersection-Collisions-Why-Are-There-So-Many-And-How-Can-You-Protect-Yourself-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/intersection-collisions-why-are-there-so-many-and-how-can-you-protect-yourself/) [Intersection Collisions: Why Are There So Many and How Can You Protect Yourself?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/intersection-collisions-why-are-there-so-many-and-how-can-you-protect-yourself/) Intersections in The Woodlands and throughout the country can be dangerous places for motorists, motorcyclists, [![Coldest Weather Events in Houston: Freezes, Snowstorms, and Road Dangers](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Coldest-Weather-Events-in-Houston-Freezes-Snowstorms-and-Road-Dangers-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/coldest-weather-events-in-houston-freezes-snowstorms-and-road-dangers/) [Coldest Weather Events in Houston: Freezes, Snowstorms, and Road Dangers](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/coldest-weather-events-in-houston-freezes-snowstorms-and-road-dangers/) Houston is known for heat, humidity, and hurricanes—not extreme winter weather. But every few years, the city --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/apps-like-snapchat-causing-dangerous-distracted-driving/