According to a national study, Texans are among the worst drivers in America.
Using information gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Car Insurance Comparison published a list of America’s worst drivers by state and Texas tied with Louisiana for the largest number of fatal car crashes and their causes.
According to the Star-Telegram, Texas ranked in the bottom 14 in five categories – fatalities rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, failure to obey things like traffic signals and seatbelt laws, drunk driving, speeding, and careless driving.
According to USA Today, South Carolina, North Dakota, Delaware, New Mexico, Nevada, Alabama, Arizona and Montana round out the list.
The findings come on the heels of a request by the Texas Department of Transportation to end a deadly 16-year streak of at least one fatality per day on Texas roadways, the Star-Telegram reports
“Every day for the past 16 years, somebody has lost a spouse, child, friend or neighbor on Texas roadways,” TxDOT Executive Director James Bass said in the release. “These deadly crashes are a sobering reminder that we must do everything in our power to stay focused and safe while driving. We can stop this staggering streak if every driver makes it a priority to be safe, focused and responsible. Let’s end the streak.”
Since Nov. 7, 2000, fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes on Texas roadways have numbered 55,578 and the leading causes of fatalities included failure to stay in one lane, alcohol and speed, the release said.
To increase awareness, TxDot’s Facebook and other social media pages are sharing facts and information about the streak of fatalities and asking Texans to share the posts, as well as their personal stories about losing loved ones in automobile crashes.
