TxDOT Draws Attention to Statewide Traffic Deaths

Traffic Deaths & Safety Messages to be Displayed on Dynamic Message Signs

AUSTIN -- Improving the safety of the traveling public is the number one goal of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).  Even though the number of people killed each year in traffic crashes in Texas has decreased by about 21percent since 2003, there still were on average 250 people killed every month in 2011. 

In order to bring this critical and important issue to the public's attention, TxDOT will begin to display the year-to-date number of traffic deaths in Texas on more than 700 message signs one week every month, typically the third week of each month. This new effort is designed to remind drivers that driving deserves their full attention every time they get behind the wheel. 

"We are encouraged about the progress we've made around safety over the last several years," said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. "But as long as we have a single traffic death we have more work to do. We think that displaying the number of people that have died in traffic crashes to date will have a direct impact on driving behavior. We want to make sure that people arrive at their intended destination safely every time."

TxDOT encourages drivers to take action to ensure their own safety as well as that of their passengers by driving the speed limit, paying attention to the road, avoiding distractions such as cell phones, having everyone in the vehicle wear their seat belts, and never drinking and driving. 

"It's not worth your life or someone else's when the solutions to the transportation safety problems we face every day are so simple. Just by wearing your seat belt, a driver can dramatically improve their chances of avoiding death or serious injury in a crash," said Carol Rawson, TxDOT's Traffic Operations Director.

The new displays of traffic fatality numbers will begin on August 20. 

Go online for more information on TxDOT's traffic safety programs.