1,247 people were killed in speed-related crashes in Texas last year
AUSTIN – In Texas, getting there a few minutes faster isn’t worth a lifetime of consequences. Choosing to slow down is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself—and everyone else on the road.
That’s the message behind Drive Like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe.—TxDOT’s call for drivers to look out for one another and take pride in how we travel our roads.
While Texas is making progress, speeding remains a serious threat. It’s still the leading factor in deadly crashes, accounting for roughly one-third of all traffic fatalities statewide.
To address this, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the state to remind drivers that real Texans don’t rush—they drive with care, respect and responsibility.
There is encouraging news. In 2025, the decline in speed-related fatalities out- paced the significant decrease in overall fatalities. But the danger hasn’t disappeared.
Speed continues to play a role in more than 150,000 crashes each year, proving that even small decisions behind the wheel can have serious consequences.
Through Drive Like a Texan, TxDOT is asking drivers to pause, think about the people around them and make safer choices.
“Excessive speed makes any crash more dangerous,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Higher speeds mean less time to react and a much greater risk of serious injury or death. We’re asking Texans to slow down and
This message is reinforced during Operation Slowdown, a statewide high-visibility enforcement effort running July 18 through Aug. 2. During this period, TxDOT partners with law enforcement by providing additional funding and resources to increase patrols and stop drivers who are speeding or driving too fast for conditions.
Drivers are encouraged to:
•Match their speed to traf- fic, weather and road condi tions;
•Increase following dis- tance when traffic is heavy or roads are slick;
•Watch for changing speed limits, especially in work zones and school zones;
Remember that fines dou ble for speeding in active work zones and school zones.
