Texas The Nations Worst Traffic Safety Problem

Texas has the nation’s worst traffic safety problem by almost any measure. More Texans are killed in traffic crashes than in any other state, and more are killed in alcohol-related crashes than in any other state. Other states have used measures such as enhanced penalties for offenders with very high blood alcohol levels and increased testing of blood-alcohol levels in fatal crashes to make their roads safer. The Legislature should take steps to qualify for more traffic safety money to save lives and cut property losses.

Traffic safety is a serious problem in the U.S., especially in Texas. In recent study, 41,821 people were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans aged five through 29 years old. An average of six children were killed in traffic accidents each day. In half of these cases, the children were passengers in vehicles with drivers who had been drinking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that three of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.

More Texans lose their lives in traffic accidents than the citizens of any other state. The same study showed that 3,769 people were killed on Texas roads, compared to 3,753 in California and 2,999 in Florida. Interestingly, California had fewer traffic deaths but 13 million more people.

Texas has the nation’s worst problem with drunk driving in terms of total deaths and injuries. Texas had the highest rate of alcohol involvement in traffic deaths of any populous state, with 50 percent of traffic fatalities involving alcohol, compared to 37 percent in California and 40 percent in Florida. Only Alaska and Rhode Island have higher rates of fatalities involving alcohol than Texas.