Texas Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts for 2024
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently released its annual report detailing motor vehicle crash statistics for 2024. The data reveals both encouraging improvements and persistent challenges on Texas roadways. Here’s an in-depth look at the key findings and what they mean for drivers, policymakers, and communities across the state. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash caused by a negligent driver in Texas, contact the Turley Law Firm for help from a skilled and experienced Dallas car accident lawyer.
Overall Decrease in Traffic Fatalities
In 2024, Texas experienced a notable decline in motor vehicle traffic fatalities. The total number of deaths dropped to 4,150, marking a 3.29% decrease from the 4,291 fatalities recorded in 2023. This reduction contributed to a lower fatality rate of 1.35 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles traveled—a 5.25% improvement over the previous year. These figures suggest that safety initiatives and public awareness campaigns may be having a positive impact on reducing traffic-related deaths.
Serious Injuries and Crash Frequency
Despite the decrease in fatalities, the number of serious injury crashes remained significant. In 2024, there were 14,905 serious injury crashes, resulting in 18,218 individuals sustaining serious injuries. Additionally, the total number of people injured in motor vehicle crashes reached 251,977. On average, one person was injured every two minutes and five seconds, and a reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds throughout the year.
Rural Areas and Roadway Types
Rural areas continued to account for a disproportionate share of traffic fatalities. In 2024, 50.12% of all traffic deaths occurred in rural regions, totaling 2,080 fatalities. Single-vehicle, run-off-the-road crashes were particularly deadly, resulting in 1,353 deaths—32.60% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities. These statistics highlight the ongoing need for targeted safety measures and infrastructure improvements in rural communities.
Intersection and Head-On Collisions
Crashes occurring at or related to intersections claimed 1,050 lives in 2024. Head-on collisions were also a significant concern, with 617 fatalities reported. These types of crashes often result in catastrophic injuries or death, underscoring the importance of intersection safety enhancements and driver education on the dangers of improper passing and lane usage.
Impaired and Distracted Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol remained a major factor in traffic fatalities. In 2024, 1,053 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, accounting for 25.37% of all traffic deaths. The highest number of DUI-related crashes occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 2:59 a.m., with Sundays being the most common day for these incidents.
Distracted driving also contributed to roadway fatalities, with 380 deaths attributed to distracted driving behaviors—a 5.71% decrease from 2023. While this decline is encouraging, distracted driving continues to pose a significant risk to road users. It is the number one cause of crashes in the country, with drunk driving not far behind.
Vulnerable Road Users: Motorcyclists, Pedestrians, and Cyclists
Motorcyclist fatalities totaled 585 in 2024, with 37% of those killed not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. Pedestrian deaths decreased by 5.19% to 768 fatalities, while pedalcyclist (bicyclist) fatalities saw a substantial 26.42% decrease, totaling 78 deaths. These trends indicate progress in protecting vulnerable road users, though continued efforts are necessary to sustain and improve these outcomes. In any crash involving these vulnerable road users, the likelihood of serious injury or death is high.
Seat Belt Usage and Restraint Systems
Seat belt usage remains a critical factor in survival during crashes. Of all vehicle occupants killed in 2024 where restraint usage was applicable and known, 45.34% were reported as not wearing seat belts. This statistic emphasizes the life-saving importance of seat belt compliance and the need for ongoing public education and enforcement efforts. These numbers also show that even being belted or helmeted is not foolproof protection in a serious crash.
Notable Dates and Trends
There were no deathless days on Texas roadways in 2024, highlighting the persistent nature of traffic fatalities. The deadliest days of the year were Friday, May 24, and Sunday, October 27, each with 27 fatalities. October emerged as the deadliest month, with 391 traffic deaths recorded.
Vehicle Miles Traveled
Texans drove more in 2024 than the year before, with annual vehicle miles traveled reaching 307.490 billion—a 2.07% increase over the 301.254 billion miles driven in 2023. This rise in travel underscores the importance of continued investment in roadway safety measures to accommodate increasing traffic volumes.
Conclusion
The 2024 Texas Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts report presents a complex picture of roadway safety in the state. While reductions in overall fatalities and certain categories of crashes are encouraging, the data also reveals areas requiring sustained attention, such as rural road safety, impaired driving, and seat belt usage. Continued collaboration among state agencies, law enforcement, and the public is essential to further reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths across Texas.
Contact Turley Law Firm After an Auto Accident in Texas
If you or a family member has been hurt in a Texas car accident, contact Turley Law Firm to talk about what happened and find out how we can help. You deserve justice and compensation after an accident that wasn’t your fault, and our team of skilled and dedicated lawyers can help you get there.
