More than 55,000 motor vehicle fatalities have occurred on Texas roads since November 2000, with at least one person dying each day. The accidents are largely attributable to failure to stay in one lane, driving while drunk and driving over the speed limit, according to TxDOT.
“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. “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.”
To help raise awareness of the number of fatalities, TxDOT is asking people to change their social media profile pictures to a black image. Throughout November, TxDOT will share facts on social media about the last 16 years of roadway fatalities. It asks Texans to show commitment to ending the streak of roadway crashes by sharing stories with the hashtag #EndTheStreakTX.
To accompany the campaign, TxDOT offers tips on how to reduce roadway crashes and fatalities:
- Buckle seatbelts-all passengers need to be buckled
- Pay attention-put phone away and avoid distractions
- Never drink and drive-drunk driving kills; get a sober ride home
- Drive the speed limit-obey speed limits and drive slower when weather conditions warrant
“End the Streak” will last through the month of November, TxDOT Public Information Officer Danny Perez said.
“The campaign is in its second year, and we are very proud of how great things went last year, and we hope to duplicate the impact this year,” he said.
For more information, visit www.txdot.gov.
