TxDOT crash data for Texas paints a grim picture of traffic safety

Deer Park accident lawyers ask: did you know that in 2010, we all traveled more than 234 billion vehicle miles in Texas? If we had been in a NASA spacecraft on a single journey, we might have reached another solar system in that distance. No wonder drivers have problems with fatigue.

TxDOT’s traffic accident statistics for 2010, which the agency compiled from Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Reports, paint a startling and sobering picture regarding the dangers of ground vehicle travel throughout the state. (Statistically, a NASA vehicle would be safer, and you’d avoid traffic jams.)

Our Deer Park accident lawyers present some of the more interesting statistics regarding our travels on Texas roads in 2010:

• 59,660 serious injury crashes occurred in Texas in 2010 in which 82,685 victims received serious accident injuries. 215,593 injuries overall resulted from motor vehicle accidents throughout the state.
• Texas traffic fatalities declined a bit in 2010 to 3,023 from 3,109 in 2009.
• On average, 1 reportable motor vehicle crash occurred every 81 seconds in Texas. 1 person received injuries from those crashes every 2 minutes, 26 seconds. And 1 person died in those crashes every 2 hours and 54 minutes.
• 44% of motor vehicle occupants killed in fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts at the time of their accidents.
• 56% of motorcyclists killed in accidents were not wearing helmets.
• More than 56% of the state’s fatal traffic accidents occurred in rural areas.
• Single-vehicle crashes in which the vehicle ran off the road accounted for 1,226 deaths, or 41% of all fatal road accidents in 2010. Excessive speed, driver fatigue, driver distraction, and DUI are primary causes of single-vehicle crashes.
• Crashes resulting from a driver under the influence of alcohol killed 1,075 victims, or 35.6% of all fatal crash victims.
• There was not a single day in Texas in 2010 without at least 1 motor vehicle crash fatality. January 1st claimed the most victims: 25. May was the most deadly month with 280 victims.

The TxDOT compilation of annual crash data serves as a wake up call to remember your safety precautions on the road. Our Deer Park accident lawyers emphasize that many crashes are preventable. You can help yourself and your loved ones to avoid some of the common causes of road wrecks by reminding everyone not to drive fatigued, distracted, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Traffic safety is actually in everyone’s hands. So take a hand in lowering the Texas crash statistics numbers for 2012: drive safely. And consult our Deer Park accident lawyers’ guide to the essential information you need to know in the event of a serious Houston wreck. It’s available for free download on this web page.