24 Years of Tragic Deaths on Texas Roads: Let’s End the Streak

Observing a Day of Remembrance: How Texas Hopes to #EndTheStreakTX of Daily Roadway Deaths

ABILENE – On March 10, 2024, the Blessing family suffered a devastating loss. Their 18-year-old daughter, Aspen Blessing, was tragically killed in a collision involving a drunk driver heading the wrong way on Interstate-20. Aspen’s vibrant life was cut short by a preventable act, a tragedy that echoes in the hearts of countless Texas families who have lost loved ones on the road. As we approach November 7th, this heartbreaking reminder becomes even more poignant.

Thursday, November 7, 2024, marks 24 years since the last day Texas saw zero fatalities on its roads. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Abilene District, alongside the Blessing family, will observe this day not as a celebration but as a solemn reminder of the ongoing loss and the urgent need for safer driving practices. The event will be held at the TxDOT Abilene District Office AT 4250 N. Clack St. from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend this press conference to remember the more than 87,000 lives lost due to senseless crashes that could all have been avoided.

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A State in Crisis: The Numbers Behind the Tragedy

Since November 7th, 2000, the death toll on Texas roadways has been relentless, more than 87,000 innocent lives lost on Texas roads. In 2024 alone, the numbers are staggering:

• Speeding: 982 lives lost
• Impaired Driving (Alcohol-Related): 616 deaths
• Distracted Driving: 250 deaths, attributed to behaviors such as using a phone or reaching for items while driving
• Seatbelt Non-Use: 718 preventable deaths due to drivers or passengers not wearing seatbelts
  Source: TxDOT.org

These statistics tell a story of preventable mistakes and the high cost of carelessness. Each number represents a person, someone’s family member, friend, or neighbor. The Blessing family’s presence at the November 7th observance will serve as a deeply personal plea for all Texas drivers to adopt safer driving habits. Their tragedy is a reminder that behind every statistic is a story, a loved one who never came home.

Top Causes of Death on Texas Roads

Understanding the main causes of fatalities can help prevent future tragedies. Here are the top reasons contributing to deadly accidents on Texas roads:

1. Failure to Drive in a Single Lane: This common driving error can lead to deadly collisions and is often associated with distracted or impaired driving.
2. Driving Impaired Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs: Impairment remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in Texas.
3. Pedestrians Failing to Yield Right-of-Way: Pedestrian-related incidents continue to contribute to roadway deaths, highlighting the importance of vigilance for both drivers and pedestrians.
4. Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit not only endangers the driver but everyone on the road, contributing significantly to fatal crashes.
   Source: DeSimone Law Office & TxDOT

Working Together for Change

TxDOT’s mission to end the streak of daily traffic deaths (#EndTheStreakTX) is more than a campaign; it is a call to action for all of us to be more committed to safe driving. This observance will provide an opportunity for reflection, shared stories, and a collective commitment to change.

Join Us in Observing November 7th

Let this Thursday, November 7th not just be a somber acknowledgment of the past, but a day to look back on the past 24 years, it will also serve as a starting point for renewed efforts to make Texas roads safer.  We must all make life-saving choices, slowing down, avoiding distractions, always wearing seatbelts, and never driving impaired. We can break the streak and save lives in Texas. Together, we can #EndTheStreakTX and ensure that no more families have to endure the loss of a loved one due to a preventable crash.