24 years. That's how long it's been since Texas had a fatality free day on its roadways. It is a sobering statistic to say the least when you consider that every day for the past 24 years someone has lost their life on a Texas roadway. In all, since Nov. 7, 2000, more than 87,000 people have been killed on Texas roads according to Texas public safety officials.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) are joining forces in an effort to end this deadly streak on Texas roads. Last week, on the anniversary of the last deathless day on Nov. 7, 2000, the state agencies launched a joint campaign to educate drivers on safe practices while DPS enforces the laws of the road. The effort involves DPS troopers handing out tip cards during traffic stops to encourage safe driving behaviors.
“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.”
Photo: TxDOT.
Last year, 4,289 people were killed on Texas roads, and so far in 2024, Texas is averaging 10 roadway deaths a day. TxDOT says some of the top causes of crashes are included on the card that troopers will hand out for two weeks starting Nov. 7.
The messages include:
- Drive safe speeds
- Buckle up
- Move over or slow down
- Get a sober ride
- Avoid distractions
18-Year-Old Aspen Blessing
Among those killed on Texas roads this year, 18-year old Aspen Blessing. She was killed in March after her car was struck head-on by a drunk driver in Callahan County near Abilene.
18-year-old Aspen Blessing was killed by a drunk driver in March of 2024.
Photo provided by TxDOT.
“The hardest part is that Aspen did everything right,” said Jen Blessing, Aspen’s mother. “She was not speeding. She was wearing her seatbelt. She wasn’t distracted. One man’s bad choice cost Aspen, our family and his family everything.”
Photo provided by TxDOT.
Blessing and her family are working with TxDOT to help prevent other families from suffering a similar tragedy. Earlier this year, Aspen's mother announced a partnership with TxDOT to visit schools and share their testimony in hopes of changing generations.
Roadway safety improvements
TxDOT says it's committed to enhancing safety on roads throughout the state, investing $17 billion in safety improvements through the state’s 10-year plan. TxDOT also says it works tirelessly to develop safety innovations that can have significant impacts.
One improvement implemented this year in Fort Worth uses cameras to identify pedestrians on major roadways, targeting areas where people have been hit after trying to cross. TxDOT says it detects them early on, notifies law enforcement and helps them respond before they step out on the road. The agency says this improvement has led to a drop in pedestrian crashes on these highways since they were installed in January and says it's just one example of the many innovative and engineering improvements TxDOT makes every year.
Deadly streak nearly ends
Texas did come close to ending its deadly streak back in January of this year. TxDOT says there was one day that Texas experienced just one traffic fatality caused by a driver running a stop sign.
“A single life lost is too many, but this shows us that it can be done,” said TxDOT Deputy Executive Director Brandye Hendrickson. “We’ve been close a few times in recent years. Safety is paramount when we design, build and maintain roads, and it also must be the top priority when we’re driving on them.”
For more about TxDOT's #EndTheStreakTX campaign click here.
Photo: TxDot