Performance Dashboard
One of TxDOT's strategic goals is to champion a culture of safety.
This is reflected in the following objectives:
- TxDOT provides a safe transportation system that promotes zero fatalities.
- The traveling public is educated and aware of the importance of their role in transportation safety.
- TxDOT employees and contractors are safe and act as champions for safety.
To assess TxDOT’s progress toward this goal, we track the four performance measures below.
Annual fatalities and fatality rate
This is the number and rate of deaths on all Texas roadways.
The safety of drivers on Texas roadways is TxDOT’s top priority. We strive to reduce crashes and deaths by continually improving guidelines, innovations, awareness, and education. Tracking traffic safety related measures informs us of the effectiveness of improvements and initiatives we take.
A reportable motor vehicle traffic crash is any crash investigated by a Texas peace officer and reported to TxDOT for processing, which occurs or originates on a traffic way and results in the injury or death of a person, or property damage of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000.
The number of annual fatalities is the total number of deaths in traffic crashes in a calendar year. The fatality rate is the ratio of annual fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in a year.
Annual serious injuries and serious injury rate
This is the number and rate of serious injuries on all Texas roadways.
TxDOT is committed to reducing the impact of severe crashes through continuous safety improvements. Serious injuries can have lasting consequences for individuals and communities. Monitoring these measures helps us evaluate progress and guide future safety strategies.
A serious injury is one that prevents the continuation of normal activities. Examples include broken or distorted limbs, internal injuries, or a crushed chest.
The annual number of serious injuries is the total that occurred in traffic crashes in a calendar year. The serious injury rate is the ratio of annual serious injuries per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in a year.
Fatality emphasis areas
This is the number of deaths in specific focus areas on all Texas roadways.
We track fatalities related to key safety concerns—such as impaired and distracted driving, pedestrian activity, and incidents at intersections—to better understand where targeted interventions can save lives. Monitoring these emphasis areas allows us to assess the effectiveness of safety programs and shape future strategies to reduce roadway deaths.
Fatality emphasis areas include the number of deaths in traffic crashes by specific contributing factors (driving under the influence and distracted driving), person types (pedestrians and pedalcyclists), or road locations (run off the road and intersections).
Texas peace officers can cite multiple contributing factors in a single crash. For example, a driver under the influence of alcohol who crashes and dies while texting would be reported as a fatality due to both “DUI” and “distracted driving.”
What is TxDOT doing?
Texans are driving more than ever, yet traffic fatalities and serious injuries are on the decline—a sign of progress in roadway safety.
TxDOT is helping make this possible by:
- Implementing innovative intersection designs—such as roundabouts and special turn lanes—to simplify traffic flow and reduce the chances of serious crashes.
- Engineering roads to be more intuitive.
- Installing rumble strips to alert drivers if they start moving off the road.
- Using median barriers to prevent head-on collisions.
- Adding tech like flashing LED signs and radar sensors to prevent wrong-way collisions.
Additionally, the Drive like a Texan safety initiative reminds Texans to bring their neighborly spirit to the road.
As Texans, we look out for one another, and it’s especially important that we take that attitude on the roads we share. TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan safety initiative encourages drivers to uphold the famous Texan values we take pride in — treating every person with kindness, courtesy, and respect. Backed by theory and research, Drive like a Texan celebrates and reinforces good driving behavior, making safe driving feel like a natural part of being a Texan. By driving like a Texan and inspiring others to do the same, we can all do our part to care for one another and prevent fatalities out on the road. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com.
Employee injury rate
This is the measurement of the injury count per 100 employees.
The safety of all Texans, including TxDOT employees, is TxDOT’s top priority. A reduction in injuries to TxDOT employees will lead to more time on the job fulfilling TxDOT’s mission.
The employee injury rate is calculated based on the Department of Labor’s incidence rate formula, which is the total number of injuries times 200,000 divided by the total hours worked. The number 200,000 represents the number of hours worked in one year by 100 employees. Total hours worked is the sum of all employee hours for the year.
The standard industry injury rates use the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordable injury standard, which defines an injury as one that requires professional medical attention beyond simple first aid (such as fractures, sprains, or loss of a limb). The TxDOT employee injury rate is more comprehensive and includes first aid cases.
What is TxDOT doing?
In 2011, the Mission Zero initiative was launched to create a higher level of focus and accountability for safety at TxDOT.
The goal is to achieve zero employee fatalities, zero employee injuries and zero vehicle incidents. Since its inception, there has been a substantial reduction in every category. We have also benefited from the cost-savings associated with fewer claims and liability.
Safety programs supported by Mission Zero include:
- Backing Incident Prevention Program – Aims to prevent fatalities and injuries due to vehicle back-up incidents.
- Boots on the Ground Assessments – Proactively reduces risk exposure through assessments facilitated by leadership and peers.
- Stretch and Flex Program – Helps prevent strain and sprain injuries through targeted stretching and strengthening.
- Driver Improvement Program – Delivers ongoing assessments and training to promote safer driving behaviors.