Be Safe. Drive Smart. - Drive a Safe Speed
Be Safe. Drive Smart. – Drive a Safe Speed
TxDOT's statewide "Be Safe. Drive Smart" speeding awareness campaign urges drivers to slow down and drive to conditions to help save lives.
Why do we need Texas drivers to slow down?
Speeding doesn't save time, it costs lives. In 2024, speeding contributed to nearly 160,000 traffic crashes in our state, resulting in 1,467 fatalities and 5,921 serious injuries. No one wants to get pulled over for speeding but getting a ticket could be the best possible outcome if you drive too fast on Texas roads.
Speeding increases the distance you'll need to stop to avoid a crash and increases the risk that a crash will result in severe injuries or death. When you speed, you can also face an expensive fine, court costs, and higher insurance premiums.
To remind motorists that driving too fast can be dangerous and expensive, TxDOT is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the Lone Star State as they step up their efforts to enforce speed limits during Operation Slowdown July 18 through August 3, 2025. In addition to writing tickets, law enforcement vehicles will spend extra time driving the roads, reminding motorists what a safe speed looks like.
What should drivers know?
Smart, safe driving means more than following the speed limit. TxDOT has these safety tips for motorists:
- Match your speed to road conditions.
- Slow down and allow for more distance to stop when traffic is heavy, roads are slick, or road construction is ahead.
- Watch for road signs alerting you of reduced speed limits.
- Remember that fines double if you speed in a school zone or a work zone when workers are present.
- Always buckle up—drivers and passengers—day and night. It's your best protection in a crash.