Texas Roads Show Conflicting Safety Signals as Risky Driving Behaviors Intensify, New Study Finds

A new statewide analysis from The Texas Law Dog paints a picture of a state caught between progress and persistent danger. While Texas has managed to reduce roadway deaths for two consecutive years, the underlying behaviors driving crashes — speeding, distraction, lane‑departure errors, and alcohol impairment — remain stubbornly high. The result is a transportation landscape where fewer people are dying, but more Texans are being injured, and the state continues to outpace national averages in several high‑risk categories.

A Decline in Deaths, but Not in Danger

Texas reported 4,150 roadway deaths in 2024, a 3.29% decrease from the previous year. This follows a 2.7% drop between 2022 and 2023, marking a rare two‑year stretch of improvement in fatality numbers.

But the encouraging trend stops there.

Injuries rose to 251,977 in 2024, up from 250,489 in 2023.
Vehicle miles traveled climbed to 307.49 billion, a 2.07% increase.
Total crashes remained high at 513,461, only slightly below 2023 levels.

The Texas Law Dog’s analysis suggests that while cars are getting safer and emergency response times are improving, the behaviors behind most crashes are not.

Speeding and Distraction: The Twin Engines of Texas Crashes

The study highlights two dominant crash factors that have shaped Texas road safety for years: speeding and distracted driving.

2023 Crash Breakdown

Speeding: 138,995 crashes
Distracted driving: 89,585
Unsafe lane changes: 51,774
Failure to stay in a single lane: 45,859
Failure to yield (left turn): 36,744

2024 Crash Breakdown

Speeding: 135,053
Distracted driving: 86,798
Unsafe lane changes: 52,691
Failure to stay in a single lane: 44,196
Failure to yield (left turn): 36,184

Speeding remains the top crash cause, though slightly reduced. Distracted driving — fueled by phones, in‑car screens, and multitasking — continues to rise over the long term, even as 2024 saw a small dip.

Lane‑Departure Errors: Texas’ Most Lethal Problem

Where Texas diverges most sharply from national patterns is in fatal crash causes. Lane‑departure issues — drifting, weaving, or failing to stay in a single lane — are the state’s deadliest roadway behavior.

Top Fatal Crash Causes (2023)

Failure to stay in a single lane: 791 deaths
Drunk driving: 622
Pedestrian/cyclist failed to yield: 553
Unsafe speed (under limit): 509
Speeding: 501

Top Fatal Crash Causes (2024)

Failure to stay in a single lane: 803
Drunk driving: 579
Speeding: 519
Pedestrian/cyclist failed to yield: 512
Unsafe speed (under limit): 492

The Texas Law Dog notes that lane‑departure crashes often occur at high speeds and during late‑night hours — conditions that make survival far less likely.

Texas vs. the Nation: A Growing Divide

Nationally, roadway deaths fell from 40,901 in 2023 to 39,345 in 2024, mirroring Texas’ decline. But Texas continues to exceed national averages in several categories:

Fatality rate per miles traveled:
- U.S.: 1.2 deaths per million VMT
- Texas: 1.35 deaths per 100 million VMT
Drunk‑driving share of fatalities:
- U.S.: ~30%
- Texas: ~40%
Distracted‑driving share of crashes:
- U.S.: ~13%
- Texas: nearly 17%

Texas also remains one of the most dangerous states for teen drivers, with 83,004 teen‑involved crashes and 440 teen fatalities in 2023.

A State at a Crossroads

The Texas Law Dog’s study concludes that Texas is making progress — but not fast enough to close the gap with national safety trends. Lane‑departure errors, drunk driving, and distracted driving continue to drive a disproportionate share of deaths. And with more cars on the road each year, the stakes are rising.

Texas is improving, but the behaviors behind its most serious crashes remain deeply rooted. Without stronger enforcement and targeted policy changes, the state is likely to remain one of the nation’s most dangerous places to drive.