TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES
TxDOT declares 2021 as second-deadliest year for Texas roadways Roadways are becoming increas- ingly deadly, according to a news release from the Texas Department of Transportation that detailed ndings that are part of a larger issue nationwide. and a total of 1,219 were killed because they were not wearing a seat belt. These were decisions made by people that could have potentially saved 2,741 lives.” Art Markman, a psychology Reported vehicle crashes in Texas in 2021 Noninjuries TRAFFIC TRAGEDIES While most tra c crashes did not result in injuries, thousands of Texans died or faced serious injuries on the roads in 2021.
TxDOT reported more than 4,480 deaths on Texas roads in 2021, only a little behind 1981, the deadliest year to date with over 4,701 deaths. Roadway deaths are also on the rise nationwide. O cials reported an estimated 20,160 people died from vehicular crashes in the rst half of 2021, 18.4% higher than in 2020. Texas saw an increase of almost 15% from 2020-21. “Driver behavior is one of the causes but also one of the most important solutions,” Transportation Commis- sioner Laura Ryan said in a news release. “This is not blame. These are facts. We all have a role. TxDOT can do more, and we accept that responsi- bility. The driving public can do more. For instance, in 2021, a total of 1,522 people were killed because of speed,
professor at The University of Texas, informed TxDOT leaders and trans- portation stakeholders at the annual Texas Transportation Forum in February about coronavirus-related pressures that have had a negative impact on roadways. “We have to remind people that they are part of a community,” Markman said. “We have to start considering everyone as part of our community.” Some of the initiatives being studied include tra c safety campaigns and law enforcement funding grants as well as proven life-saving roadway designs. TxDOT is also reviewing crash data to identify areas where drivers are more likely to crash. Engineering and enforcement will also help reduce the number of deaths.
1.07M
Possible injuries
137.4K
“WEMUST DO BETTER FOR OURSELVES, OUR LOVEDONESAND
Unknown injuries
100.4K
Suspected minor injuries
OUR LARGER COMMUNITY OF TEXANS.” LAURA RYAN, TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER
82.5K
19.4K Suspected serious injuries
4.5K Fatalities
SOURCE: TEXAS PEACE OFFICER’S CRASH REPORTS COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
“But make no mistake: This is an urgent call to action for all of us behind the wheel,” Ryan said. “We can do bet- ter. We should do better. We must do
better—for ourselves, our loved ones and our larger community of Texans. Not a single death on our roadways is acceptable. Let’s end this streak.”
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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