Accidents are a terrible reality that unfortunately occur too often in Texas. Sadly, most of these deaths could have been prevented if the drivers had been more careful, adhered to traffic laws and safety regulations. You should also always get a TX police report should something unfortunate occur. To ensure a safe driving experience for all Texan motorists, it is important to always obey traffic laws and to remain aware of your surroundings while on the road.
Additionally, make sure your vehicle is properly maintained as any mechanical or structural issue can increase your chances of being involved in an accident. By understanding the frequency at which car accidents happen in Texas, we can take precautions to ensure everyone’s safety on the road and help reduce the number of preventable fatalities that occur each year.
Statistics Of Accidents In Texas
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there were 13,664 fatalities and 254,750 serious injuries on Texas roads in 2018 alone. On average, a person is killed every two hours and 35 minutes in a motor vehicle crash in the state, while someone is injured every two minutes and four seconds.
Many of these accidents are caused by a few common factors, such as alcohol and drug use, speeding, distracted driving, failure to obey traffic laws and unsafe lane changes. Other contributing factors that can lead to accidents include roadway defects or hazards, vehicle malfunctions, inclement weather and driver fatigue.
Reasons Why Accidents Occur In Texas
There are multiple reasons why accidents occur, such as speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and poor weather conditions. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), in 2019 there were 10,570 road crashes that resulted in fatalities. This was an increase from 2018 when there were 10,022 fatalities due to road crashes. On average, there are over 29 fatal crashes a day in Texas.
Speeding is the most common factor contributing to fatal accidents in Texas, accounting for 28% of all fatalities in 2019. Distracted driving, such as texting while driving, accounted for 18% of fatalities and impaired driving was responsible for 17%. Poor weather conditions led to 10% of all fatal crashes in 2019.
Most Common Kinds Of Accidents In Texas
The most common types of accidents in Texas are rear-end collisions, side-impact collisions and head-on collisions. Rear-end collisions happen when one vehicle runs into the back of another. These are usually caused by distracted driving, following too closely or driver fatigue. Side-impact crashes occur when two vehicles collide from the side, often at an intersection or while making a turn.
These are usually caused by a failure to yield the right-of-way, running a red light or speeding. Head-on collisions occur when two cars crash into each other from opposite directions, and these are often caused by alcohol or drug use, distracted driving or fatigue.
Conclusion
It is clear that road accidents occur too often in Texas, and there are many factors that can contribute to them. It is important for drivers to be aware of the potential dangers on the road and take steps to reduce their risk of being involved in an accident. People should always drive responsibly and obey traffic laws while avoiding distractions and fatigue while driving. Drivers should also be aware of road conditions and hazards in order to stay safe on the roads.
