Texas has the dubious distinction of having at least one road fatality every single day since November 2000. State agencies, lawmakers, law enforcement and safety advocates have tried to find ways to make the roads safer through education, enforcement and tightening of the laws.
A key part of trying to make the roads safer involves research. Knowing when and why accidents occur is a basic aspect of prevention. People might have preconceived notions as to the safest time to drive. The facts might contradict those beliefs. Regardless, people should have a grasp of all the factors that contributed to their accident as this could play a fundamental role in recovering from their injuries and being fairly compensated for their loss.
October and November are the worst months for road safety in Texas
In a MoneyGeek study looking at Texas auto accidents from 2018 to 2020, researchers came to a variety of conclusions regarding when accidents occurred, why they happened and which roads had the most crashes.
For those three years, October had 941 fatal accidents. This account for just over 9% of the total number across the entire state. November was next at 912. There was no mystery as to the catalysts for the collisions. Nearly one in four was due to intoxication. Just under one in three was because of speeding. Almost 10% were connected to distracted driving.
All three issues are increasingly prominent on the road today. Alcohol and drugs can inhibit judgement, reduce reaction time, lead to drowsiness and promote reckless behavior. Speeding became a significant challenge during the national health crisis in 2020 as more and more driver were ignoring the rules of the road due to fewer vehicles to contend with and lax enforcement. The problem continued as society returned to normal.
Regarding the high number of accidents in October and November, CarFax detailed why this is the case. It said nearly three in four drivers live in areas where the number of accidents are highest in these months. Reasons cited include shorter days making it harder for many drivers to see; slick roads making it more likely to lose control of the vehicle; and animal strikes, specifically deer.
Driving in the dark is difficult for some drivers and nearly half of all accidents occur after sundown. This is while only 25% of travel is done after dark. During autumn and the start of winter, there are leaves, rainstorms, ice and other potential dangers on the road that can hinder safety.
The circumstances of an accident is key in the aftermath
Although drivers are repeatedly advised of the dangers on the road during October and November, the problem persists. An auto accident can change — or end — a person’s life in a split second. Given the number of crashes that happen in Texas in general and in the autumn specifically, it is imperative that people think about how they can move forward.
Financially, there can be massive medical expenses that are not covered by insurance. That includes hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation and long-term care. People can also be harmed by the lack of income from the person who was hurt or killed. Emotionally, it can be a long-term challenge to get over what occurred. In these cases, it is crucial to have experienced guidance and advice to gather evidence, calculate all that was lost and pursue those responsible.
