TEMPLE, Texas — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and local organizations are working together to help end the streak of traffic deaths in Texas with a new campaign.
According to TxDOT, someone has died on a Texas roadway every day for last 24 years, with the last day without a death being Nov. 7, 2000. On the anniversary of that day, TxDOT and DPS are sharing messages encouraging safe driving.
As part of the #EndTheStreak campaign, TxDOT said it is working to engineer safety solutions and educate drivers on safe practices while DPS enforces the laws of the road and hands out tip cards during traffic stops to encourage safe driving, which include messages against some of the top causes of crashes.
The messages include tips like:
- Drive safe speeds
- Buckle up
- Move over or slow down
- Get a sober ride
- Avoid distractions
“After more than two decades, it’s long past time to end the streak of daily deaths on our roadways, but it’ll take all of us to get it done,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Each life lost is a mother, father, brother, sister or friend, and we need to work together to make sure everyone can get home safely.”
TxDOT said 4,289 people were killed on Texas roads in 2023, and Texas is averaging 10 roadway deaths per day so far in 2024.
Reckless or dangerous driving does not only put the driver at risk, it can also cost the lives of other drivers or first responders who are working along the roads. TxDOT's Bryan District shared a video where first responders discussed the crashes they have seen and the impact it has made on them, and encouraged drivers to move over and slow down to ensure that everyone can safely make it home to their families. The video can be seen above.
"We can end our daily death streak, but it’s going to take every driver on the road," said TxDOT-Bryan District. "The people in the cars around you have lives, families and friends just like you. Please do your part by watching your speed, getting a sober ride, avoiding distractions and buckling up every time."
TxDOT says it has invested $17 billion in safety improvement for Texas roads through the state's 10-year plan in an effort to enhance safety, working "tirelessly" to develop new safety innovations, such as pedestrian cameras in high-risk areas which they say have reduced pedestrian deaths in those areas since January.
For more information on the campaign and TxDOT's efforts, visit this link.