State
BY HANNAH NORTON
Speed and drunken driving top factors in Texas’ 25-year streak of tra c deaths
The breakdown
In the past 25 years, over 91,000 people have died on Texas roads. As of Sept. 24, there had been over 2,600 fatal crashes in Texas this year.
attribute to people driving at higher speeds when faced with less tra c. In 2022-24, the number of tra c deaths decreased each year as Texas’ population grew. “[That] is encouraging because more people are moving here and there are more vehicle miles traveled,” Hammons said. “Yet, the total tra c fatalities [are] going down, so that does give us hope.” State and local leaders said their teams analyze tra c data to determine where severe crashes are occurring. Measures to combat those trends include constructing protected bike lanes and pedestrian crossings, improving lighting, adding roundabouts, and reducing congestion.
Since Nov. 7, 2000, at least one person has died on Texas roads every day, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. As the Lone Star State reaches 25 years of daily tra c deaths, o cials at all levels of government are investing in new roadway safety projects and encouraging Texas drivers to do their part to curb deadly crashes. “At TxDOT, we can engineer and design roads on our end; law enforcement can enforce the roads,” TxDOT Media Relations Director Adam Hammons told Community Impact. “But it’s up to drivers to do their part [to] make safe driving decisions and really drive like a Texan.” The annual tra c fatality rate spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, which o cials
Annual Texas tra c fatalities
The rate of tra c deaths on Texas roads fell in recent years after spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5K
2024: 4,150
2004: 3,700
4K
2020: 3,898
3K
0
2004
2008
2012 2016 2020 2024
Mapping fatal crashes There were nearly 555,000 tra c crashes in Texas last year, resulting in 4,150 fatalities. On average, 11 people died daily on Texas roads in 2024.
Put in perspective
Last year, nearly 1,500 people were killed in speed-related crashes on Texas roads, according to TxDOT. Of the 4,150 total tra c fatalities, the agency found that one- fourth were caused by drunken drivers. Other major factors in serious or deadly crashes include distracted driving, drivers or passengers not wearing seat belts, roadway or lane departures, and pedestrian or cyclist safety, o cials said. In 2024 alone, Texas tra c fatalities resulted in nearly $57 billion in economic losses, TxDOT data shows.
B 537
Total number of fatalities in 2024
C 346
A Houston area : nearly 155,000 crashes in 2024, resulting in 764 fatalities
B Dallas area : over 84,000 crashes in 2024, resulting in 537 fatalities C Fort Worth area : nearly 37,000 crashes in 2024, resulting in 346 fatalities D San Antonio area : nearly 60,000 crashes in 2024, resulting in 326 fatalities E Austin area : over 35,000 crashes in 2024, resulting in 318 fatalities
E 318
A 764
D 326
N
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
EXPERIENCE PERSONALIZED CARE
20% OFF COMPOUNDING MEDICATION FOR NEW PATIENTS
Compounding Shop Pharmacy Serving Texas Since 1982 11845 Wilcrest Dr Houston, TX 77031
26
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook