The state of Texas has some challenges when it comes to road safety. The urban streets, busy interstates, and rural roads each come with their own potential hazards that can lead to traffic accidents. I-35 and I-45 are considered two of the most dangerous interstates in the country. Texas also has several less-than-optimal distinctions, including leading the nation in traffic fatalities, drunk driving, and more.
Texas Traffic Fatalities
Sadly, Texas has not had a single day without a traffic fatality since November 7, 2000. According to early estimatesfrom the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), there continue to be significant increases in motor vehicle fatalities across the nation. In the first quarter of 2022, there were 9,560 traffic-related deaths in the United States. Texas was the number one contributor, with an estimated 1,071 traffic deaths in the first three months of 2022.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, an average of 10 people die on Texas roads each day, and more than 75,000 drivers in Texas have been killed in the past 21 years. In an effort to turn things around, the department launched an#EndTheStreakTX campaign, aiming to educate drivers on the seriousness of the problem and encourage safer behavior on the roadways.
Primary Causes of Texas Auto Accidents
The primary causes of traffic accidents in Texas vary by region. In the Tyler District of East Texas, the leading causes of fatal traffic accidents in 2022 were:
Driving under the influence of alcohol (31 fatalities)
Failing to drive in a single lane (28 fatalities)
Driving at an unsafe speed (25 fatalities)
Failing to control speed (23 fatalities)
Pedestrians failing to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle (18 fatalities)
In North Central Texas, the top contributing factors for crashes that resulted in serious injuries or fatalities in 2020 were:
Speeding (unsafe speed/failure to control speed)
Driving under the influence/impaired driving
Failing to drive in a single lane
Distracted driving
Faulty evasive action
Safest Texas Cities for Drivers
If you’re worried about the potential dangers of driving in Texas, you’ll be glad to know that it’s not all bad news. WalletHub recently released its round-up of “2022’s Best & Worst Cities to Drive In,” and several Texas cities made the top 100 list. This includes:
Plano (#2 overall and #6 for safety)
Corpus Christi (#3 overall and #10 for safety)
Arlington (#8 overall and #25 for safety)
Garland (#9 overall and #31 for safety)
Austin (#11 overall and #45 for safety)
El Paso, Laredo, Irving, Lubbock, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Dallas also made the top 100 list.
Worst Texas Cities for Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is a serious issue that makes the roads dangerous for everyone and contributes to many traffic fatalities. A recent report published by BuyAutoInsurance.com ranked the “10 Worst Cities for Drunk Driving (2023)." Shockingly, four of the top five cities were located in Texas. This includes:
Austin (#2)
El Paso (#3)
San Antonio (#4)
Houston (#5)
It’s notable that Texas was the only state with more than one city in the top 10 list.
Stay Safe on the Texas Roadways
Whether you need to get a traffic ticket dismissed, un-learn some bad driving habits, or just want to learn how to be a more defensive driver, DriversEd.com is an excellent option. Not only can our online traffic school sharpen your driving skills, but it can also help you avoid insurance hikes or get an insurance discount. Best of all, it's easy and affordable. Check out our Texas Defensive Driving class today!