The Lone Star State Is Committed to Making the Roadways Safer

While Houston has been known for its motorsport events like the annual Houston Auto Show, it turns out that the Lone Star's roadways are also in the limelight for another road-related issue: road safety. The roadways of Houston have been named as one of the most deadly metro areas for drivers and pedestrians in the U.S., according to a Houston Chronicle analysis. Every week, there is an average of 11 accidents and 12 fatalities on Houston's roadways. For people like Bryson Ferguson and his younger siblings, these fatal crashes have turned their lives upside down, tearing the children apart and shattering their happy image of a family as they lost their parents to a car crash. As the numbers tick higher, authorities and residents alike are pushing for reform on Texas' roadways- and recognizing the need for a different approach to road safety.

Houston Transtar Joins the Fray With 'Its Only a White Line' Campaign

In the event of a freeway crash, it is not just the involved parties that face imminent danger. Stranded motorists and distracted bystanders also face horrific consequences like collisions caused by distracted driving or being hit while standing on the roadways after an accident. To educate drivers and pedestrians on the best practices after a freeway accident, Transtar has launched the 'Its Only A White Line' campaign that provides advice to stranded motorists. According to Houston Transtar's Executive Director Dinah Massie, the best thing is to remain in your car and with your seatbelt on and flashing emergency lights activated, if there is a vehicle that has stopped in the main lanes. Massie also advises against getting out to check the problem themselves if they experience a breakdown. Instead, in areas like Greater Houston Transtar cameras will identify stranded motorists. Alternatively, drivers can call a local Tow and Go program. Currently, Transtar sees over 1200 crashes per month, and 7,000 breakdowns.

Transtar and Local Organizations Aim to Educate Drivers on Post-Crash Rules

The state of Texas has also recognized that improving road safety is not just about investing in better highways and safety features, it is also about educating its motorists on safer driving behavior- including in the event of a motor accident. This includes whether drivers should move their cars from the roads after a minor crash until the police arrive- or when to get the police involved. David Wuthrich of the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston recommends moving the vehicle to a safe place, to the side of the road or parking lot. Drivers should also always report a car accident to the Texas police if it involves an injury, death, or suspicion of intoxication. Speaking to a Houston car wreck attorney after the accident can also help you determine whether you can file a car accident injury or insurance claim. In Houston Chronicle's analysis, car crashes cost Texans $38 billion in 2017 alone.

TxDOT Rolls Out $600 Million Road Safety Fund

Ideally, TxDOT would like to see an end to traffic fatalities by 2050. This was the sentiment shared by Jak Smith, Public Information Officer for the Texas Department of Transportation. According to Smith, part of the TxDOT's efforts includes $600 million being allocated over the past two years to safety projects statewide. One of the measures being included in the $600 million funding is the installation of cable barriers along Highway 6 between Waco and College Station this past August. The project, which TxDOT hopes to complete by this winter, is hoped to reduce crossover accidents on the state's roadways.

However, there have been a few hiccups since the program's launch. Measures like the cable barriers are not designed for all vehicles. Instead, they are only effective on about 85 percent of vehicles. There have also been reports of the $600 million investment in road safety coming to an end this year, which could mean the $300 million annual spend dedicated to making Texas' roadways safer could stop. Therefore, while there is progress towards making Houston's roads safer, there seems to be a long way to go.