Deadliest Places to Drive in Texas

Texas has one of the largest and most expansive highway systems in the United States, covering thousands of miles that connect urban centers, small towns, and rural areas alike. With major interstates like the I-10 and I-35 crisscrossing the state, Texas highways serve as vital arteries for commerce and travel. However, the sheer scale and complexity of this network bring significant challenges, particularly when it comes to traffic safety.

Unfortunately, the size and importance of the Texas road system also means that it has a high volume of accidents and fatalities. Whether it’s due to congested urban highways, hazardous rural roads, or reckless driving, Texas consistently ranks among the deadliest states for drivers. Each year, thousands of people are injured or killed on these highways, making road safety a critical issue for residents and travelers. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there has been at least one death on Texas roads, since November 7th, 2020.

In addition to challenges posed by heavy traffic and complex roadways, Texas drivers face the unique hazard of active wildlife, particularly in rural areas. The large state is home to a wide variety of animals, including deer, wild hogs, and cattle, which often wander onto highways and rural roads. These unexpected encounters, especially at night, can lead to serious accidents as drivers attempt to swerve or stop suddenly to avoid hitting animals. Wildlife collisions are a significant factor in many road fatalities, adding yet another layer of danger to the already perilous Texas driving experience.

Research analyzing over 18,000 fatal crashes in Texas from 2018 to 2022, based on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), highlights the state’s deadliest roads, cities, and counties for drivers. Understanding these high-risk areas can help motorists stay cautious, but accidents still happen. If you’re involved in a crash and believe you weren’t at fault, a skilled injury lawyer can be crucial in protecting your rights and pursuing compensation for your injuries.

The Deadliest Roads in Texas

Between 2018 and 2022, certain roads in Texas have emerged as particularly hazardous, reflecting a troubling trend in traffic safety. With Texas having the fastest speed limit in the United States, the combination of high-speed driving and heavy traffic significantly contributes to the state’s elevated accident and fatality rates.

Table displaying fatalities — For this table and others, only the “fatalities” column denotes a death. In the case of persons in or out of a vehicle, it only means they were involved in a crash.

Key Insights Into the Deadliest Roads

The 879 miles of the I-10 that cross Texas is the deadliest road in the state, with 667 fatalities in 607 fatal accidents over five years.
The deadliest road in Texas also coincidentally has the fastest speed limit in the United States, which is 85 mph.
The road with the most people injured who were not in the vehicle was the Texas stretch of the I-35, which is also an interstate road.
While the majority of the roads in the top ten are interstates, which is logical considering their length, there are many other US highways in the top ten that have a higher fatality rate than other interstates throughout Texas. SR-6, which is contained to Texas, is still amongst the top ten, with 148 fatalities.
State highways are the most common type of road to suffer fatalities at 3605, followed by local municipal streets at 3571.

These findings highlight a concerning reality for drivers in Texas, where a combination of high-speed limits, heavy traffic, and extensive road networks creates an environment ripe for accidents. While interstates, with their sheer size and traffic volume, predictably account for many fatalities, other types of roads also contribute significantly to the overall danger. State highways and local streets, though often less congested, still have thousands of fatal accidents, proving that road safety concerns extend well beyond the busiest highways.

Given the widespread nature of these dangers, drivers in Texas must remain vigilant regardless of the type of road they are on. Understanding the risks associated with different roadways can help motorists take extra precautions, but even the most careful drivers can be involved in accidents. In such cases, consulting a qualified injury lawyer is essential, especially if you believe the accident wasn’t your fault, as they can guide you through the legal process and help ensure your rights are protected.

The Deadliest Counties to Drive in Texas

Certain counties in Texas have consistently ranked among the most dangerous for drivers. Harris, Dallas, and Bexar counties, home to major urban centers, report some of the highest numbers of fatal accidents due to heavy traffic, congestion, and high-speed driving. Rural counties, where road conditions and wildlife hazards pose additional risks, also contribute significantly to the state’s traffic fatalities.

Table displaying Deadliest Counties in Texas

Key Insights into the Deadliest Counties

Harris County, with the highest population in Texas, accounts for the highest accident count as well as fatalities. With a population of 4.7 million people living in Harris County, there are approximately 51 deaths per 100,000.
Dallas County only has 2.6 million inhabitants but they have a higher density of fatal accidents, with 61 fatalities per 100,00 people.
Bexar County has 1,041 fatalities from 986 total accidents, indicating that despite a lower total accident count, a large percentage of these accidents result in fatalities.

Image displaying 10 most dangerous counties in Texas

These statistics show the critical need for improved road safety measures in Texas’ most populous counties, where traffic density and high-speed driving create significant risks. However, the data also reveals that even less densely populated areas, such as rural counties, face unique challenges, such as longer emergency response times and wildlife hazards. Whether navigating congested urban streets or remote rural highways, drivers across Texas must remain vigilant to reduce the likelihood of becoming a statistic in the state’s troubling trend of fatal accidents.

The Deadliest City Traffic in Texas

Texas’ major cities are home to some of the most dangerous traffic conditions in the state. With a combination of densely populated urban areas, high-speed roadways, and ever-increasing numbers of vehicles, cities like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio consistently rank among the deadliest for drivers. Congestion, aggressive driving, and frequent accidents contribute to elevated fatality rates, making city driving a major concern for road safety in the Lone Star State.

Key Insights into the Deadliest City Traffic

Houston has the highest amount of recorded traffic fatalities between 2018 and 2022, and 60 per 100,000 people when accounting for population.
Similarly to the deadliest counties, Dallas has a higher rate of fatalities than Houston based on population, with 81 per 100,000 people.
Beaumont may have the lowest number of fatalities but due to its smaller population, it has the highest fatality rate per 100,000 people, with a rate of 93.
Austin has the highest proportion of non-vehicle occupants involved in accidents relative to the total number of accidents, with a percentage of 46.9%. This indicates that, although Austin ranks fourth in total number of accidents, a significant portion of these accidents involve people not in vehicles, highlighting a particular risk for pedestrians and other non-vehicle occupants in the city.

These insights reveal a complex landscape of traffic safety across Texas’ urban centers. While Houston and Dallas show high fatality numbers due to their large populations and heavy traffic, cities like Beaumont demonstrate how smaller populations can lead to higher fatality rates per capita. Austin’s notable percentage of non-vehicle occupants involved in accidents proves the pressing need for enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety measures. Collectively, these statistics emphasize that addressing traffic safety in Texas requires targeted strategies that consider the volume of accidents and the specific risks faced by different road users in various cities.