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Purpose of Safety Rest Areas
The purpose of our safety rest areas is to improve highway safety by encouraging motorists to take periodic breaks
from driving.
Until these award-winning safety rest areas were built, by far the number one
complaint of motorists driving through Texas was, "Your rest areas are
deplorable. Texans and their guests deserve much better." And now motorists
can't thank us enough.
Fatigue leads to traffic crashes, injuries and deaths: The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration says 1,500 traffic fatalities and 71,000 injuries
occur each year from fatigue-related crashes.
Safety Rest Areas in Texas
TxDOT operates 98 safety rest areas. More than 50 million motorists visit
these facilities annually.
Renovation Program
TxDOT is renovating safety rest areas around the state to provide cleaner,
better and more convenient locations for motorists to stop and take a break from
driving. As part of our renovation program, many existing facilities will be
upgraded; others will be closed or relocated to provide better customer service.
Safety rest areas were first built in Texas in 1968. The renovation program
was the result of complaints from the public that the rest areas were old and
out-of-date and should be upgraded to meet the needs of today’s traveler.
New Features
- Air-conditioned and heated restrooms, as well as an assisted-use
restroom
- Larger parking areas, with separated areas for cars and commercial
trucks
- Wireless internet
- Information areas for weather and road conditions, maps, traffic-safety
and upcoming regional events
- Office space for law-enforcement
personnel
- Enhanced security, including surveillance cameras
- Tornado shelters
- Walking and interpretive trails
- Play areas for kids
How the Improvements are Being Funded Eighty percent of the renovation costs
are provided by federal transportation enhancement funds. Federal regulations
prohibit transportation enhancement funds from being spent on road construction.
The remaining 20 percent is provided by state funds. |
