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TxDOT is focusing on travelers’
comfort and safety with a federally funded program that will completely update
the state’s safety rest areas. New rest area facilities are being constructed
throughout the state using new and innovative designs.
View more information about safety rest areas.
Brooks County Rest Area
In response to feedback from travelers, the Texas Transportation Commission
made the project a priority in 1999 by authorizing federal enhancement funds to
revamp the state’s aging rest areas. The project helps fulfill our mission
“to provide safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods” by
offering drivers convenient places to stop in otherwise remote areas.
An estimated 50 million travelers visit Texas rest areas annually. The
facilities are essential safety features on the highway system because they help
drivers fight fatigue, which is a major cause of serious accidents:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates
that approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually (about 1.5
percent of all crashes) involve drowsiness or fatigue as a principal factor.
- NHTSA estimates that fatigue-related crashes result in 1,500 fatalities
each year.
- At least 71,000 people are injured in fatigue-related crashes annually.
- NHTSA reports that Texas has the highest number of fatigue-related
accidents in the United States.
The new safety rest areas feature many elements to enhance traveler comfort
and safety, such as security systems, expanded truck parking areas, updated
restroom facilities, sheltered picnic areas and walking paths. Inside an
air-conditioned lobby, travelers can find
maps,
tourist information,
road
condition reports and weather updates.
Wireless Internet access is also
available to travelers. Each safety rest area is designed to
incorporate natural and historical features unique to its location, as well as
native landscaping elements.
To learn more about a specific rest area, click a
location on our
interactive map. |
