EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — November 7, 2000, marked the last day without a traffic fatality on Texas roads, and since then, more than 91,000 people have lost their lives in traffic crashes across the state.
In El Paso alone, last year saw 15,000 traffic crashes resulting in 70 fatalities and 243 serious injuries.
Most crashes are attributed to driver error, prompting a call for drivers to adopt safer habits such as wearing seatbelts, adhering to speed limits, avoiding distractions like phones, and never driving under the influence.
This year, 880 people have died in speed-related crashes statewide, with drunk driving responsible for two out of nine deaths. Distracted driving has claimed 201 lives, 450 pedestrians have been killed, and 701 people died because they weren’t buckled up.
In related news, the eastbound entrance ramp to I-10 ahead of the Artcraft intersection will be closed for five months for construction work.
Additionally, a full weekend closure of I-10 is scheduled from 5 a.m. Nov. 8 to 5 a.m. Nov. 10 at Redd eastbound and Mesa westbound.
However, a new eastbound entrance ramp to I-10 between Thorn and Mesa will open by Nov. 7, providing some relief during the closure.
Crews will install an overhead sign bridge and complete final configurations on I-10 between Thorn and Redd.
The Redd Thorn exit westbound will open once the closure lifts, and a third lane on I-10 eastbound after Thorn to Mesa will also be available. Another similar closure is expected the following weekend.
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