As a former Texan, it always saddens me to read the statistics and hear the stories about drunk driving and its effect on the people of the Lone Star State.

With nearly 14,000 people dying every year due to driving under the influence, Texas certainly carries more than its share of the blame where those numbers are concerned.

In fact, though the state still contains quite a few “dry” counties, where the sale of liquor is strictly prohibited, Texas has more alcohol-related accidents than any other state, with a history of traffic fatalities due to drunk driving second only to California.

That’s not exactly something to be proud of.

But things are about to change in Texas—so those who tend to drink and drive better pay attention.

Though current state law requires drivers to submit to breathalyzers or blood tests without a court order only if they cause an accident that results in injury or death, new proposals before Texas lawmakers would make those tests compulsory for anyone who:

• drives drunk with a child in the car
• causes an accident that leads to hospitalization
• has a prior intoxication felony or two DWI convictions

Also under discussion are random sobriety checkpoints in common areas of violation, which police would set up in an effort to deter drivers from operating motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol.

As the penalties for drunk driving tighten nationwide, Texas may just lead the way toward a more sober, safer roadway.  Here’s one former Texan who would love to see that happen!

Bonus links:

Texas Senate Approves Anti-DWI Bills

State DUI Prevention Activities May Reduce Alcohol-Impaired Driving

CDC Impaired Driving Factsheet

With a record life expectancy of more than 78 years, Americans are now living longer than ever before: women an average of 80 years and men 75.

As the senior adult segment of our population grows exponentially, the U.S. Census predicts that almost one out of five Americans—some 72 million people—will be 65 or older by 2030.

That’s a growth rate of 100 percent over 2006.

If given the option, most of us would choose long life over the alternative. But along with advancing age come new challenges that must be faced and overcome:

• Declining health
• Loss of benefits
• Decreased financial resources
• Increased likelihood of injury and death

As response times decrease and health fails, seniors struggle to maintain independence. According to research, the death rate for older drivers is higher than for any other group except 16- to 20-year-olds. As a result, family members are often forced to take away the car keys—making a difficult transition for everyone concerned.

Many seniors who live alone wind up needing care with the daily tasks of living, such as dressing, bathing and eating. Others simply need help running errands, getting back and forth to doctor’s appointments or buying groceries.

Insurance for seniors helps combat these issues by ensuring proper physical and mental care; helping maintain quality of life; protecting finances and possessions, and offering resources that provide for widowed spouses and families left behind.

Seniors face very personal challenges as they age. But by planning ahead and estimating needs as closely as possible early in life, the latter years can be lived with dignity and grace—and the burden of care eased for loved ones.

Please note: for more information, please see our article on insurance for seniors.

Becoming responsible and self reliant can be a scary process. And for singles, who often have no one to rely on but themselves, it’s even scarier.

Like everyone else, singles need a support system. As they’re living on their own and facing challenges, they need to know there’s someone or something ready to lend a hand when they need one.

Insurance for singles provides just that type of support, filling in the gaps when there’s no family around to help, finances get out of control or situations occur that require wisdom that may not have been gained yet.

But before buying insurance coverage, singles need to weigh in on issues of real importance when it comes to cost. For example, have they established any credit and, if so, what do their scores look like? What kind of shape are they in physically and how susceptible are they to illness? What type of life do they lead and how responsibly do they act?

All these factors have significant bearing on what the right insurance protection will cost. And making positive changes wherever possible will help ensure singles get and stay protected—whether sitting at home, driving back and forth to work, going out with friends or visiting the doctor.

Whether single for the first time or single again, singles face unique challenges that call for physical and financial support. And the best way to make sure they have the right resources at their disposal is to get free insurance quotes—and buy insurance coverage now.