Driving in Texas is becoming more lethal, with more than 3,600 people killed in traffic incidents in 2019. That represents an increase of more than 10% compared to the same period in 2018.
Houston is the most populated city in Texas. Which is why we likely see the most car accidents in Texas here. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (DOT), there were 113,525 accidents in Harris County in 2019.
Some more in-depth car 2019 crash statistics for Harris County according to the DOT:
– 395 of those accidents were fatal, resulting in 418 deaths
– 1,977 accidents caused serious injury, injuring 2,294 people
– 21,792 of the accidents caused an injury of some kind, harming 33,218 people
Houston also ranks among the worst cities for traffic in the U.S. Houston ranks near the top of several categories, a recent study conducted by Patch.com. The website says traffic delays cost the average American about $1,380 and 75 hours a year. The report reviewed various data from 471 U.S. urban areas.
Deaths per 100,000 miles driven are at their highest point in seven years. This disturbing increase in deaths may have several causes, including the fact that more Americans are driving as the economy has recovered. But it is also believed that a great culprit is distracted driving. As CityLab reported in March 2019, American drivers are texting, talking, adjusting the controls of increasingly complicated vehicle entertainment systems, and doing other things while driving, that make them ignore traffic lanes more than half the time while behind the wheel.
An analysis of collision statistics compiled by the Federal Highway Administration, ranks the most lethal roads in the country. The results indicate how dangerous driving habits, combined with a lack of state policies that could limit them, may be increasing deaths.
A thorough study from the Accident Data Center, which compiled accident statistics from 2011 to 2019, concluded that Interstate 45 (I-45) ranks as the most dangerous highway in the nation. This highway averaged about 56.5 fatal accidents per 100 miles. The Bayou City was named the most dangerous stretch on I-45, experiencing 73 fatal accidents in 2019.
Interstate 10 (I-10) ranked the fourth-most dangerous in America with 54.5 fatal accidents per 100 miles. I-10’s deadliest city was New Orleans, Louisiana.
A study by ValuePenguin looked at the number of fatal accidents that happened in dark areas or areas where no roadway lighting was present. I-10 was rated the second-darkest highway, and I-45 ranked No. 3 on the same list. Both highways averaged nearly 28 fatal accidents per 100 miles due to nighttime conditions in 2019.
Drunk driving fatalities occurred at the highest rate on I-45, with about 17.5 drunk driving deaths per 100 miles. I-10 ranked No. 4 with 12.6 fatalities per 100 miles on that list.
Other dangerous roads in Houston according to the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System:
– Interstate 610
Interstate 610 (I-610) is the internal bypass road that divides Houston. It follows a 38-mile circular path around downtown Houston.
The northern area of I-610 is especially dangerous and tends to host a large number of rollover accidents.
-Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Freeway)
Beltway 8, or the Sam Houston Freeway, is a state highway in the Harris County area. It runs a circular path of 83 miles around the Houston area.
The intersections of the Sam Houston Freeway are another point where many accidents are concentrated. In fact, data from the Texas Department of Transportation show that the intersection of Sam Houston Freeway and Bissonnet Street is the most dangerous in all of Texas.
-State Highway 99 / Grand Parkway
State Highway 99, also known as the Grand Parkway, is a highway in Texas that opened its first section in 1994 and it is currently the longest beltway in the U.S., and the third (outer) loop within Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area. Interstate 610 is the first (inner) loop, and Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway) is the second (middle) loop.
Collisions on State Highway 99 / Grand Parkway cause a multitude of injuries and deaths each year. Last year there were more than 210 accidents on SH-99 based on statistics from Houstontranstar.org
What are the main reasons why these Houston freeways are so dangerous?
Although all the accidents that occurred on these three dangerous highways had specific causes, many were related to alcohol, distractions at the wheel, or because of not obeying speed limits.
It is thought that the distracted driving epidemic is responsible for about 9% of all road deaths. Meanwhile, traffic laws restricting mobile phone use remain extremely difficult to enforce in most states and in some they do not even exist. Drivers can also cause accidents if they:
– Text and drive
– Have not slept enough
– Are not familiar with the road (they can cause collisions by going in the opposite direction or get distracted by the GPS device)
– Drive aggressively
– Do not adapt their speed to road conditions (such as road, ice, rain, snow, etc)
What do I do if I have had an accident?
As we have already mentioned, some accidents are inevitable. Fortunately, if you have been involved in one and can prove that the other driver caused it, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other aspects related to the accident.
However, an accident can make victims feel that they have no one to turn to. When that happens, you should contact an experienced attorney.
PMR Law is dedicated to helping victims of auto accidents receive the compensation they deserve. We offer free consultations to discuss your case so we can try and make sure we take all the necessary steps to protect your rights.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident because of a negligent driver, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers at 832-667-7700 or by text at 832-438-3012. Get in touch with us immediately so we can evaluate your case for free. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also fill out a form by clicking here.
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