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Texas Transportation Commission wants to stop fatal car accidents

On Behalf of | Dec 11, 2019 | Uncategorized |

A car crash is an upsetting event no matter what the circumstances may be. Even a small fender-bender can have an impact on a person’s life. For car accidents that prove fatal, the aftermath can completely change an entire family’s life forever.

If someone you care about lost his or her life in a car crash, you know just how devastating it can be to everyone who knew that person. What you may not know is that, according to officials, Texas has had a fatal car accident every day since November 7th, 2000. A new campaign hopes to change that unfortunate statistic, with plans to end all fatal car accidents in the future.

What the numbers say

Each day for the past 19 years, someone in Texas has lost his or her life to a car crash. What’s even more alarming is that an average of 10 people die in a Texas car crash on any given day. The number of people who died in a crash since the unfortunate streak began back in 2000 is nearly 67,000. Officials say that most accidents are caused by drunk driving, excessive speeding and failure to maintain one’s lane.

#EndTheSreakTX

In response, the Texas Transportation Commission and TXDOT has launched a public awareness campaign known as #EndTheStreakTX. They want everyone to tell 10 other people about the campaign and ask those 10 to share with 10 more people, hoping that, eventually, it will reach as many people in Texas as possible. Officials encourage citizens to share their own stories on social media about loved ones who died in a car crash. They want to stop fatal car crashes altogether by 2050.

Safety improvements

While a public awareness campaign is an excellent idea, officials also say that the budget for safety improvements to roadways will increase by $600 million. Wider roads, more rumble strips, reinforced shoulders and other road upgrades will help citizens avoid fatal accidents. The hope is that the combined efforts will help them reach their goal of ending fatal car crashes. They say that even if they can reduce the number by half by 2035, they will consider it a significant achievement.

How drivers can stay safe

There are several ways that you and other motorists can avoid fatalities in car crashes. One of the easiest is for everyone in the vehicle to wear a seat belt. Another clear strategy is to avoid using alcohol or drugs before driving. Distracted driving is another cause of accidents, so putting away your phone and limiting other distractions can help. Finally, take care to follow posted speed limits and reduce your speed when necessary due to road conditions.

While all of these efforts are admirable, if you have lost a loved one to a car accident caused by someone else, these suggestions won’t ease your loss. However, you have the right to hold those responsible accountable for their actions, or for their inaction, for that matter. You have legal options of which you may not be aware, and a professional can help you understand them.

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