Energy Sector Safety Campaign

While energy production may fluctuate from year to year, oil and gas activity often brings increased traffic and large trucks to rural areas and adjacent communities. The Energy Sector Safety Campaign is under the umbrella of Be Safe. Drive Smart. and focuses on reminding drivers to be extra cautious when driving through Texas energy zones.

Crash Data

In 2020, nearly 70,000 traffic crashes occurred in the state’s five major energy production areas resulting in 932 fatalities and 2,791 serious injuries. The leading contributors to those crashes were failure to control speed and driver inattention. Below is a breakdown of crashes per energy region for 2020:

• Barnett Shale: 17,921 traffic crashes resulted in 223 fatalities and 797 serious injuries.
• Eagle Ford Shale: 11,275 traffic crashes resulted in 138 fatalities and 409 serious injuries.
• Anadarko Basin: 639 traffic crashes resulted in 8 fatalities and 21 serious injuries.
• Haynesville/Bossier Shale: 16,490 traffic crashes resulted in 243 fatalities and 757 serious injuries.
• Permian Basin: 23,100 traffic crashes resulted in 320 fatalities and 807 serious injuries.

Traffic fatalities in the five energy zones accounted for almost one in four of all traffic deaths in the state.

Safety Tips

Energy work zones present a different environment for drivers to navigate.  Drivers should stay alert and watch for other vehicles, especially heavy trucks that have large blind spots, move at slower speeds and require a greater distance to make a full stop. Following these basic safety precautions may help to save a life:

• Always buckle up- drivers and all passengers- day and night.
• Drive a safe speed, accounting for traffic, road conditions, and weather.
• Focus 100 percent on driving and put your phone away; now talking or texting when behind the wheel.
• Give large trucks plenty of space, be patient, and pass only when it is safe and legal to do so.
• Obey stop signs and traffic signals.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
  

Remember the "Move Over, Slow Down" law: Move over a lane or slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching an emergency or law enforcement vehicle, TxDOT vehicle, tow truck or utility vehicle stopped with flashing lights activated on the side of the road.