TxDOT, Law Enforcement Crack Down on Speeding Ahead of Statewide Safety Campaign

Staff Report

PHARR TX – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is teaming up with law enforcement agencies statewide to urge drivers to slow down, as speeding remains the top contributing factor in deadly crashes across Texas.

TxDOT’s latest “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign begins this month, reminding drivers to “Drive Like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe.” The effort coincides with a heightened enforcement period from July 18 to August 3, during which law enforcement will focus on identifying and stopping speeders on Texas roads.

In 2024, speed contributed to nearly 160,000 crashes statewide, resulting in 1,467 deaths — 35% of all traffic fatalities in Texas.

“Speeding is not an accident, it’s a choice,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “When you choose to drive even just a little over the speed limit, you’re not only risking your own life, you’re risking the lives of every other person on the road.”

The campaign features Texas country music artist Parker McCollum, who is lending his voice to encourage safe and responsible driving.

Drivers are reminded to reduce speed when road conditions are poor, allow extra stopping distance in traffic or construction zones, and obey posted speed limits. Officials also warn that speeding in school or work zones when workers are present can result in doubled fines.

Statewide Data (2024)

• In 2024, there was a total of 554,139 traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 4,152 fatalities and 18,218 serious injuries.
• Speed* ranked as the number one contributing factor in these traffic crashes.

• In 2024, speed was a contributing factor in 158,362 traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 1,467 fatalities and 5,921serious injuries.

• In 2024, 29% of all traffic crashes in Texas involved speed. 
• In 2024, 35% of all traffic crash fatalities in Texas involved speed.

*Speed data includes Failed to Control Speed, Speeding Over Limit or Unsafe Speed.

By Age Group and Gender

Of the 159,794 drivers in Texas who were involved in crashes in 2024 where speed was a contributing factor:

• 726 were under age 16.
• 45,051 were age 16–24.
• 37,154 were age 25–34.
• 25,482 were age 35–44.
• 15,855 were age 45–54.
• 10,864 were age 55–64.
• 5,724 were age 65–74.
• 2,715 were age 75 or over.
• 98,919 were men.
• 47,970 were women.

LOCAL STATS

• The number of traffic crashes in the *Pharr District in 2024 that involved speeding totaled 8,680. These crashes resulted in 44 deaths and 191 serious injuries.
  • From 2023 through 2024, traffic crashes in the *Pharr District involving speeding decreased 4% while fatalities resulting from traffic crashes involving speeding increased 10% and serious injuries decreased 3%.

The *Pharr District serves the 8 southernmost counties of Texas.

Source — Texas Department of Transportation.