According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2015 there were close to 4,000 fatalities in truck related fatalities all throughout the United States. An estimated 111,000 people received injuries which resulted from the impact of a truck crash. Nearly 438,000 large trucks were involved in all traffic crashes in 2015. The state of Texas had close to 13,000 trucks in 2015. Close to 400 people were killed in those accidents and nearly 5,000 resulted in injury.
The state of Texas had nearly 15% of all U.S. truck related fatalities in 2015. This means that the highways and roads of Texas are among the most dangerous in the United States. The biggest problem that leads to truck related collisions within the state of Texas is drunk driving and lack of seat belt use. The state of Texas is trying to have a fatality free day and that is the main objective of highway patrol and other law enforcement agents. The name of this campaign is called “EndtheStreak”. Unfortunately, one person a day has died due to a traffic related fatality within the state of Texas in 2016.
A Campaign to Limit Auto Collision Fatalities
Vision Zero is another campaign that has a goal of no fatalities or serious injuries on the road. This campaign has its origins in Sweden. Once it reached America, many states have adopted it. Texas hasn’t embraced this particular movement but are strongly considering it. Vision Zero is designed to alter the roads and highways and to upgrade them as well.
Texas roads and highways are in fairly decent shape and the state is constantly engaged in some project to improve them. Cities such as Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston all have many issues with 18 wheeler trucks. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, many trucking accidents happen as the result of speeding, tailgating, improper lane changes, fatigued and reckless driving and driving while impaired. Passenger-vehicle motorists cause these accidents and truck drivers create them as well.
Big Rig Commercial Tractor Trailer Wrecks are Common
Tractor trailer accidents happen in Houston and the state of Texas. In the month of September, 2014 within the city of Houston, Vilma Marenco lost her life in a collision with a tractor trailer. This was a sad day within the state of Texas and her surviving husband and daughter were devastated. The city of Houston has its fair share of truck accidents. Keep in mind that truck related accidents within the state of Texas have been on the increase for years.
Vehicle safety is another issue that leads to accidents. A commercial wreck or auto accident can also result from a faulty vehicle. Many trucks are not maintained and kept in compliance with Texas motor laws. Transportation companies sometimes overlook issues with their trucks and this can lead to accidents on the road.
Another reason why Texas is such an accident prone state has to do with its size. Texas is the biggest state in terms of land mass. There are 268,820 square miles in Texas and the highways and streets are extremely large as well. The increased size of the state is what leads to more automotive accidents. This is because there are more trucks out on the road and the chance of collision increases when there are more motorists moving around.
Ultimately, Texas highways and streets are plagued by an increased in truck fatalities and injuries because of the size of its highways, the increased number of drivers and by secondary factors such as fatigue or drunk driving. State leaders and law enforcement officials are working hard to help reduce these problems and to make the streets safer for drivers and pedestrians.