Heading out on the roads in Texas requires drivers to take steps to ensure they’re operating their vehicles safely so that all travelers can get to their destinations without incident. With that said, not everyone takes the need to stay safe as seriously as they should.
Recently, MoneyGeek analyzed deadly crashes in the Lone Star state from 2018 to 2020 and found certain stretches of roads and safety-related concerns have proven to be more dangerous than others. This information is valuable, as understanding the hazards that commonly occur on Texas roads may help drivers to avoid them.
Deadliest roads in Texas
Throughout the state, there are roads that are notorious for fatal crashes. Knowing where these are can help drivers to ensure they take extra precautions when they travel on them.
- I-10 in Beaumont and El Paso
- I-35 in Austin
- I-20 in Forest Hill, Arlington and Fort Worth
- Westheimer Road in Houston
- I-30 in Dallas and Mesquite
- I-45 in Houston
- Fm 190 in Harris County
- I-820 in Fort Worth
These road stretches had at least 10 fatal accidents between 2018 and 2020. I-10 in Beaumont was the deadliest stretch. There were 17 fatal crashes in a 4-mile stretch of the interstate.
Contributing factors for crashes
Speeding is the primary contributing factor for fatal crashes in Texas during the 2018 to 2020 period. It accounted for 31.3% of fatal wrecks in the state.
Drunk driving was the second leading cause of fatal crashes, accounting for 24.3%. Distractions were third, causing 9.9% of deadly wrecks.
Out of all Texas counties, Harris County had the most fatal crashes. Within that county, I-45 was the most fatal section of road.
The end of the year was by far the deadliest time of year for people in Texas. October had the most fatal crashes, followed by November and December, in that order.
Family members left behind after a fatal crash caused by another’s negligence may want to seek justice for their loved one’s death. This can be done through a wrongful death lawsuit, which must be initiated within specific time limits set by Texas laws. These cases must meet specific requirements, so legal assistance may make it easier to that they are sufficiently met.