Vision Zero Coalition
Vision Zero is a coalition spearheaded by TxDOT’s Amarillo District. When it began in November 2016, it only included Potter and Randall counties, and the City of Amarillo. Since then, it has expanded to include the top 17 counties of the Texas panhandle that comprise the Amarillo District.
Goal
Vision Zero helps support the Texas Transportation Commission’s Road to Zero goal – a goal of having zero deaths on Texas roadways by 2050, and to cut the number of fatalities in half by 2035. The Road to Zero campaign uses strategies from the Texas Highway Safety Plan (THSP). Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.
Stakeholders
In addition to TxDOT representatives, stakeholders include county judges, law enforcement officials, justices of the peace, the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, cities, hospitals, schools, transportation partners and local EMS.
Traffic fatality statistics
As we continue to focus more of our efforts and resources on the Road to Zero, it is important to understand causes and trends behind traffic fatalities in the Amarillo District. In 2022, at least 101 people died in crashes in the Amarillo District, up from 90 the year before. As of Jan. 3, 2023, contributing factors in fatal crashes in 2022 included:
- 23.8% involved unrestrained occupants
- 34.7% involved DUI-Drugs and Alcohol
- 24.8% were single vehicle run off the road
- 11.9% involved distracted driving
- 78.2% occurred in rural areas
- 22.8% occurred at an intersection
- 33.7% involved a head-on collision
- 28.7% were speed related
There are a total of 50 rural crashes in 2022 that included 79 fatalities. The top three contributing factors in these fatalities included:
- 24% involved being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or alcohol involved as contributing factors.
- 22% involved driving on the wrong side or going the wrong way on a one-way road as contributing factors. All these resulted in head on collisions (36% of these involved alcohol).
- 22% were lane departures as contributing factors. Meaning they either crossed the center of the road or ran off the road to the right (45% of these involved alcohol or drugs).
Traffic Safety Data Portal
TxDOT collects and analyzes a wide variety of traffic safety data, including annual crash statistics published in Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics Annual Reports. Crash data is used to improve traffic safety engineering and education, and fuel TxDOT's campaign #EndTheStreakTX, with the ultimate goal of ending daily deaths on Texas roadways.
This Traffic Safety Data Portal provides insights into cumulative crash data and data for seven important emphasis areas: Impaired Driving, Distracted Driving, Speeding, Work Zones, Motorcycles, Pedestrians and Pedalcyclists, and Seat Belts. Explore the interactive data visualizations and maps throughout the Traffic Safety Data Portal by clicking on the Statewide Data and Emphasis Area links below.
For in-depth and custom analysis of crash data, please visit the Crash Records Information System (CRIS) application CRIS Query. CRIS Query allows the public to query, extract, and analyze publicly available crash data through an internet browser.
The four Es
Vision Zero helps emphasize the “Four Es”: Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Emergency Response as they are proven methods in reducing crashes. While the “Four Es” will go a long way in reducing traffic fatalities, the Road to Zero will not be reached until drivers become true partners in TxDOT’s efforts to improve safety and reduce fatalities on Texas roadways to zero.
Contact us
TxDOT Amarillo’s Vision Zero Coalition meets the third Tuesday of every month. If you are interested in attending or want to learn more about becoming a traffic safety advocate in your community, please contact Traffic Safety Specialist LaViza Matthews at 806-356-33348 or LaViza.Matthews@txdot.gov. You may also follow us on Twitter @Vision0Amarillo.