Based on an analysis of 10,125 fatal crashes from 2018 to 2020, MoneyGeek identified Texas' deadliest roads. In particular, we looked at 4,563 roads from Texas’ 683,533 miles of road.
As part of our study, we also examined how drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving and the time of year contributed to fatal crashes in the state. Additionally, we summarized data for each county in the state and identified the deadliest road in each.
Key Findings
- I-10 from Exit 855A to Exit 849 is the deadliest stretch of road in Texas. Between 2018 and 2020, 17 fatal accidents occurred here.
- Speeding contributed to 31.3% of accidents, or 3,168 fatal accidents, between 2018 and 2020, making it the highest contributing factor in fatal accidents in Texas.
- 24.3% of fatal accidents — 2,456 total crashes — were related to drunk driving, the second highest contributing factor in deadly crashes. Distracted driving was the third highest contributing factor, involved in 9.9% of accidents, or 1,001 accidents, in the state.
- October had the most fatal accidents (941) between 2018 and 2020. This month was followed by November (912) and December (909).
- Harris County had the most deadly crashes of any county. I-45 was the stretch of road with the highest number of fatal accidents (45).
10 Deadliest Road Stretches in Texas
- DEADLIEST ROAD IN TEXASI-10 from Exit 855A to Exit 849Beaumont
- Fatal Accidents:17
- fatalities:17
- Crashes Per Mile:4.2
- distance:4.0
- I-35 from Exit 238B to Exit 244Austin
- Fatal Accidents:16
- fatalities:18
- Crashes Per Mile:3.3
- distance:4.9
- I-35 from Exit 235B to Exit 229Austin
- Fatal Accidents:15
- fatalities:15
- Crashes Per Mile:3.1
- distance:4.8
- I-20 from Exit 443 to Exit 439Forest Hill | Arlington | Fort Worth
- Fatal Accidents:13
- fatalities:14
- Crashes Per Mile:2.7
- distance:4.8
- Fm 1093/Westheimer Road from Westerland Drive to W Loop SHouston
- Fatal Accidents:13
- fatalities:13
- Crashes Per Mile:3.0
- distance:4.4
- I-30 from Exit 52A to 56CDallas | Mesquite
- Fatal Accidents:12
- fatalities:12
- Crashes Per Mile:2.4
- distance:4.9
- I-45 from Exit 63 to Exit 59Houston
- Fatal Accidents:11
- fatalities:12
- Crashes Per Mile:2.4
- distance:4.6
- I-10 from Exit 16 to Exit 21El Paso
- Fatal Accidents:11
- fatalities:11
- Crashes Per Mile:2.3
- distance:4.7
- Fm 1960 from Westfield PI Drive to Midway Plaza DriveHarris County
- Fatal Accidents:10
- fatalities:12
- Crashes Per Mile:2.1
- distance:4.7
- I-820 from Exit 33C to 30AFort Worth
- Fatal Accidents:10
- fatalities:11
- Crashes Per Mile:2.5
- distance:4.0
Drunk Driving Involved in 24.3% of Fatal Accidents
Texas recorded 10,125 fatal accidents between 2018 and 2020, with 2,456 involving drunk driving. Driving under the influence is the second-leading contributing factor in fatal car accidents in Texas.
The dangers associated with alcohol-impaired driving are obvious. Apart from potentially injuring yourself, you may also injure those around you or cause property damage. Even a little bit of alcohol poses a danger to you and others. Texas' laws deem a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.8% as illegal, but even a BAC of 0.02% can make driving difficult.
Even when no accident occurs, drunk driving has serious consequences. It is possible to lose your driving privileges, have your license suspended and even go to jail for such an offense. On top of this, a DUI conviction can make finding affordable car insurance in Texas challenging, as getting Texas SR-22 insurance may be required and can result in substantial premium increases.
Speeding Is a Factor in 31.3% of Fatal Crashes
Speeding is the highest contributing factor in fatal crashes in Texas. Between 2018 and 2020, speeding was linked to 3,168 fatal accidents — or 31.3% of all fatal accidents within the state and time period.
When you drive at high speeds, you put yourself and others at risk. Whether you’re driving through the suburbs or racing along a highway, navigating the roads at high speeds can make it difficult to stop quickly when necessary. This added challenge can cause you to swerve or fail to stop entirely, increasing your risk of injury and property damage — which can put a dent in your finances and a mark on your driving history.
Distracted Driving Contributed to 9.9% of Fatal Accidents
Distracted driving, where you are unable to pay full attention behind the wheel, was linked to 9.9% of fatal accidents in Texas, or 1,001 accidents out of 10,125. On a national level, the Lone Star State ranks as the 13th worst state for distracted driving but is still better than 25% of other states.
October Had More Fatal Accidents Than Any Other Month
More fatal accidents occurred in October than any other month, making it the deadliest month for Texas drivers. A total of 941 deadly crashes happened in October from 2018 to 2020. That accounts for 9.3% of all fatal accidents.
November had the second-highest number of fatal accidents, at 912, while December was third, at 909. That indicates that the months leading up to winter carry the highest risk of fatal car crashes for Texas drivers.
Driving Safely Protects You, Others and Your Wallet
Safe driving can benefit you in more ways than one. Aside from keeping you and others around you safe, it can also help you save money over time by avoiding costly medical bills. However, accidents may happen when you least expect it, so it’s important to still get car insurance coverage. In particular, a cheap full coverage auto insurance policy can help you cover your expenses if you get into an accident.
The average cost of auto insurance in Texas is $1,316 annually, but this can vary by county and city. Case in point, we found that auto insurance in Houston costs an average of $1,560, while car insurance in Lubbock averages $1,096 per year — a difference of $464.
Note that MoneyGeek’s data are simply averages — which means your costs can change based on a range of factors, such as your age, location, driving record, type of car driven and more. To get the most affordable auto insurance, get quotes from several providers and choose the best and cheapest offer for your needs.
Fatal Accidents and Most Dangerous Roads: County Breakdown
The top five counties in the Lone State had 3,453 fatal accidents combined, which accounted for 34% of all fatal accidents between 2018 and 2020.
Harris County had the most fatal accidents at 1,221, with I-45 (45) being the deadliest road in the area. Drunk driving (353) and speeding (346) were two of the highest contributing factors to fatal accidents in Harris County.
Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) database using fatality data from 2018, 2019 and 2020. Currently, 2020 is the latest data available in the system.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
sources
- Federal Highway Administration. "Highway Statistics Series." Accessed December 2, 2022.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Drunk Driving." Accessed December 15, 2022.
- Texas Department of Transportation. "Impaired driving and penalties - DUI/DW." Accessed December 15, 2022.