The Lone Star State earned a dubious honor in 2017.
According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), Texas saw more fatal motor vehicle accidents that year than any other state in the Union.
Not a Single Deathless Day on Texas Roads in 2017
At least 3,722 people died in connection with Texas motor vehicle crashes during 2017. That’s a slight improvement from the 3,794 deaths the state recorded in 2016 when it also took the top ranking.
Most (52.5%) of the deaths occurred on the state’s rural roadways, while just over 35% involved single-vehicle run-off-the-road crashes.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the state did not log a single day without a fatal motor vehicle accident in 2017. With 26 fatalities, November 17th was the deadliest day of the year.
Texas highway crashes killed 352 people in July 2017, making it the deadliest month.
How Other States Compared to Texas
California had the second-highest number of deaths in 2017, with 3,602 fatalities.
Other states on the Top 10 list included:
- Florida – 3,112 fatalities
- Georgia – 1,540 fatalities
- North Carolina – 1,412 fatalities
- Ohio – 1,179 fatalities
- Pennsylvania – 1,137 fatalities
- Illinois – 1,097 fatalities
- Tennessee – 1,040 fatalities
- Michigan – 1,030 fatalities
Causes of Fatal Texas Motor Vehicle Accidents
Intoxicated driving continues to be a problem in the Lone Star State.
In fact, more than 1,020 people died during 2017 in crashes where a driver was under the influence of alcohol, accounting for about 28% of all Texas motor vehicle fatalities that year. More DUI crashes were reported between 2:00 a.m. and 2:59 a.m. than any other hour of the day, and more occurred on Sunday.
Just over 40% of those who died along Texas road in 2017 weren’t using safety restraints, while 449 deaths involved distracted driving.
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