Driving on busy roads in our state’s oil and gas production areas can be both challenging and dangerous.
Energy exploration and production across Texas requires many large trucks and heavy tankers, and drivers should take extra care to safely share the road with these vehicles.
In 2023, more than 80,000 traffic crashes occurred in the state’s five main energy sectors—the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, Barnett Shale, Anadarko Basin and the Haynesville/Bossier Shale—resulting in 1,081 fatalities and 3,578 serious injuries last year.
These traffic deaths accounted for nearly 25% of the state’s total traffic fatalities last year.
Failure to control speed and driver inattention are ranked as the top two contributing factors in crashes in the five main energy regions.
With all of this in mind, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is launching its new statewide “Be Safe. Drive Smart” campaign and urging motorists to stay alert and drive at a safe speed in our state’s oil and gas producing areas.
The issue
Our state’s energy sector is vital to many communities throughout the state and the Texas economy, but oil and gas production activity can also bring challenges to our transportation system.
These include an increase in traffic and the effects on our roads caused by large trucks and machinery sharing the road with passenger vehicles.
When motorists share the road with large trucks, they may encounter limited visibility and wear and tear on road surfaces, requiring extra vigilance to navigate around road hazards.
Statistics
In 2023, more than 80,000 traffic crashes occurred in Texas’ five main energy regions—the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, Barnett Shale, Anadarko Basin and the Haynesville/Bossier Shale.
Those crashes tragically resulted in 1,081 people killed, accounting for 25% of the state’s total traffic fatalities.
Speed and driver inattention were the top two contributing factors in crashes in the energy regions.
Safety tips
TxDOT offers these important safety reminders to help prevent crashes in oil and gas areas:
• Drive a safe speed. Follow posted speed limits and adjust your driving to match road conditions.
• Stay alert and focus 100% on driving. That means putting your phone away: no talking or texting when behind the wheel.
• Give large trucks plenty of space. Be patient and pass trucks only when it’s safe and legal to do so.
• Maintain a safe following distance. Tailgating is a common factor contributing to traffic crashes.
• Avoid trucks’ blind spots. If you can’t see the truck driver in the truck’s side mirror, the driver can’t see you or your vehicle.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Even one drink is enough to impair your judgment.
• Obey all stop signs and traffic signals.
• Always buckle up. That includes drivers and passengers, day and night, and every ride.
To help get the word out, TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart” campaign will showcase an interactive traffic safety exhibit at high school football games in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale.
The mobile exhibit will feature quizzes, games and video displays that remind motorists to slow down and stay focused when driving in energy regions
“Be Safe. Drive Smart” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths.
The last deathless day on Texas roadways was Nov. 7, 2000.
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of July 26, 2024. To view additional traffic safety data, visit TxDOT’s Traffic Safety Data Portal online.
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, maritime, rail and public transportation across the state. Connecting You with Texas