{"id":45625,"date":"2025-11-11T23:29:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T23:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/45625\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T23:29:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T23:29:16","slug":"families-officials-urge-texans-to-help-end-25-year-streak-of-daily-traffic-deaths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/45625\/","title":{"rendered":"Families, officials urge Texans to help end 25-year streak of daily traffic deaths"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEvery day for the past 25 years<\/a>, at least one person has died in crashes on Texas roads. Texas officials and the families of some fatal crash victims commemorated the grim anniversary with a candlelight ceremony at the Texas Capitol on Nov. 7.<\/p>\n

Over 91,000 people have died in Texas traffic crashes since Nov. 7, 2000, Texas Department of Transportation<\/a> records show. Officials emphasized Nov. 7 that the majority of fatal crashes can be prevented if drivers follow speed limits, avoid distractions, wear seatbelts and do not get behind the wheel when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are real lives,\u201d Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, told reporters Nov. 7. \u201cThose are kids who won’t see graduation, those are parents who won’t come home. … Life is sacred, and it’s worth more than a text or a phone call or getting somewhere faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zooming in<\/p>\n

Jamie White said her 2-year-old daughter, Allie, was hit and killed by a distracted driver at Round Rock\u2019s Old Settlers Park in September 2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt only takes [a few] seconds… to kill somebody,\u201d White said Nov. 7. \u201cCan you imagine doing this, taking somebody’s child from them, and living the rest of your life knowing that you caused that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Following Allie\u2019s death, her parents launched Allie\u2019s Way<\/a>, a nonprofit aimed at ending distracted driving.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can’t multitask\u2014we think we’re capable of it, but when you’re driving a vehicle, you have to look forward, you have to look to the side,\u201d White said. \u201cYou have to look in your rearview mirror to make sure nobody else hits you. At the same time, you’re trying to figure out where you’re supposed to go, and you’re also supposed to be responding to somebody by text message or by phone conversation. It is not possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas law<\/a> prohibits using a portable device to read, write or send texts while driving. Violators face fines of $25-$99, with up to $200 in fines for repeat offenders.<\/p>\n

Rep. Charles Cunningham, R-Humble, proposed legislation to raise fines for distracted driving during this year\u2019s legislative session, Community Impact previously reported<\/a>. Cunningham\u2019s bill<\/a> did not receive a hearing before the Legislature wrapped up in June.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is common sense that usage of [phones] while operating a vehicle is a huge safety issue,\u201d Cunningham said in a January statement. \u201cIncreasing the penalty would help deter drivers from engaging in unsafe behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

The use of hands-free devices is protected in Texas, and drivers are also allowed to use wireless devices for maps or music, according to the state transportation code<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"More details<\/p>\n

Eric Bauereis, who lost his teenage son, Alexei, in a 2016 crash, said that \u201cyear after year, preventable crashes have shattered thousands of people’s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat crash didn’t just kill Alexei\u2014it derailed dozens of lives and impacted literally thousands of others,\u201d he said Nov. 7. \u201cPlease recognize that being a minute late is way better than not getting there at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last year, an average of 11 people died on Texas roads each day, Community Impact reported<\/a>. As of Sept. 24, 10 people had died per day in 2025.<\/p>\n

TxDOT data shows that speed and impaired driving are involved in the majority of deadly crashes on Texas roads. Of the 4,150 total traffic fatalities last year, TxDOT reported that about 35% were speed-related, and 25% were caused by drunken drivers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are not random events,\u201d Texas Highway Patrol<\/a> Chief Bryan Rippee said Nov. 7. \u201cThese are the results of making the wrong choices on our Texas highways. When someone drives too fast, drives impaired or doesn’t wear a seat belt, they’re putting not only their lives in danger, but the lives of others in danger, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

To spread awareness about the deadly 25-year streak and encourage safe driving behaviors, Texas state troopers will hand out cards during certain traffic stops over the next two weeks, Rippee said. The cards remind Texans to:<\/p>\n

Drive at safe speedsWear seatbeltsMove over or slow down for stopped vehiclesGet a sober rideAvoid distractions while driving<\/p>\n

It’s going to take all of working together to end this 25 year streak of daily deaths. That’s why DPS is sharing tip cards at traffic stops to call on everyone to drive like a Texan: kind, courteous and safe. Read more: https:\/\/t.co\/0P37UIUUsr<\/a> #EndTheStreakTX<\/a> #DriveLikeATexan<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/CCv3tzT8lH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 TxDOT (@TxDOT) November 7, 2025<\/a>\u201cIn the moment, it’s hard to imagine anything terrible can happen,\u201d Bauereis said. \u201cBut don\u2019t just take my word for it\u2014ask any of the hundreds of thousands of Texans that crashes have affected over the past 25 years. Stay alert, pause for just a moment, and please put your phone down.\u201d
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