Texas has experienced significant population growth in the past decade. You’ll find nine of the 15 fastest-growing U.S. cities between 2010 and 2020 located within its borders. With such rapid growth, one could naturally expect an impact on road usage and traffic patterns.

Alarmingly, there were no deathless days on Texas roadways in 2023. A breakdown of the Texas Department of Transportation’s report for that year shows that:

  • One person died roughly every two hours and three minutes
  • One person suffered an injury every two minutes and six seconds
  • One crash worthy of reporting occurred every 56 seconds

Taking a closer look at statistics like these can help shed light on why and how the situation has become so dire.

The Upward Trend in Fatalities

The recent on accident statistics in the Lone Star State show concerning patterns.

Texas recorded 3,538 traffic fatalities in 2014; by 2023, this number had increased to 4,289. The percentage of increase in traffic fatalities from 2014 to 2023 was approximately 21.22%. To paint a better picture, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled went from 1.46 in 2014 to 1.52 in 2022.

COVID’s Curious Effect on Texas Roads

In 2020, total crashes dropped to 480,766 from 560,952 during the previous year, a result of decreased road usage during lockdowns. Fatalities increased during this period, however. There were 276 more traffic deaths in 2020 than in 2019, despite there being fewer vehicles on the road.

This anomaly caused authorities to reexamine the impact of speeding on Texas roadways, which appeared to be rampant due to less-congested roads. Further research is still needed to confirm this hypothesis.

The Speed Factor

Speed has long been a chief contributor to both the frequency and severity of vehicle crashes on Texas roads. Data from 2014 to 2023 consistently show speeding to be a major factor in traffic fatalities.

Between 2019 and 2023, there were 16,977 fatal crashes resulting from an inability to control vehicle speed. And in 2023 alone, 341 individuals lost their lives in accidents where speeding played a role.

Young drivers aged 18–29 are overrepresented in speed-related car and motorcycle crashes, accounting for the highest frequency of such incidents in 2023.

Persistent Issues: Alcohol and Distraction

Besides speeding, drunk driving is the main culprit for road accidents in Texas. In 2023, 1,090 fatalities occurred in crashes involving drivers under the influence of alcohol, totaling 25.45% of all traffic deaths. Over the last 10 years, this number has consistently exceeded 1,000 per year.

Another major issue is distracted driving, which is harder to quantify but poses an equally grave risk. In 2023, Texas reported 403 deaths in crashes involving distracted driving, a 17.25% decrease from 2022. That said, this figure may be underreported since proving distraction post-accident isn’t always straightforward.

Seasonal Patterns in Crash Frequency

Many people look forward to various end-of-year festivities—but in Texas, accident data show that the period between October and December tends to see the highest number of vehicle crashes and fatalities.

Factors contributing to the consistently high number of accidents include:

  • Large traffic volume attributed to people traveling home for the holidays
  • Shorter daylight hours, which means more night driving
  • Severe, cold, and wet weather, particularly in North Texas
  • Increased cases of drunk driving resulting from celebrations

Such information highlights the need to prioritize safety improvements and target driver education efforts, particularly regarding commuting during the holiday season.

Road Type and Crash Severity

Some types of Texas roads experience more accidents than others, with significant disparities in crash severity:

Rural Roads

Rural roads have less traffic compared to roads in urban areas. Even so, rural roads see the highest number of fatalities. In 2023, for instance, 51% of traffic deaths occurred on rural roads.

The following factors are responsible for the alarming number of fatalities:

  • Rural roads have higher speed limits than other roads, encouraging speeding
  • There are no physical barriers between lanes
  • It takes longer for first responders to reach the scene in remote stretches

The high fatality rate on rural roads indicates the need for improved infrastructure and possibly speed limit revisions in these areas.

Intersections

With vehicles approaching from all sides, it’s not hard to see why intersections are hotspots for accidents, especially on busy urban roads.

Highways

Perhaps surprisingly, highways see fewer crashes per vehicle mile traveled. However, those that occur tend to be more severe due to higher speeds.

Urban Arterials

These urban roads are host to varied types of motorists and experience a high volume of crashes, often involving pedestrians and cyclists.

The Issue of Safety Belts

Almost all states have some sort of seat belt laws, and most people are aware of their effectiveness. However, only 28.92% of drivers killed in crashes in 2023 were wearing seat belts. Such figures underscore the need for renewed education efforts and stricter enforcement.

Reviewing Texas Car Accident Statistics and Trends

The past decade has been characterized by remarkable advancements in vehicle safety technology and a strengthening of traffic laws. Regardless, Texas roads have become increasingly dangerous over the last several years, and the troubling trends revealed by recent statistics show no signs of slowing.