Texas cities with the worst drivers

Top Texas cities with the worst drivers

Below, we list the 10 Texas cities with the worst drivers based on crash score. We calculated the crash score for each Texas city with over 50,000 people by adding together the following five factors:

• Number of fatalities due to crashes per 100,000 people
• Number of crashes related to bad driving per 100,000 people
• Number of fatalities involving speeding per 100,000 people
• Number of fatalities involving driving under the influence per 100,000 people
• Number of fatalities involving positive blood alcohol content per 100,000 people

1. Galveston

Crash score: 97.63

Galveston, which takes up most of a 32-mile-long island about 50 miles southeast of Houston, is the most dangerous place for drivers by a mile: Its crash score is 72% higher than the next city on our list. It reported the highest rate of fatalities in the study, at a staggering 35.67 per 100,000 residents. That’s by far the highest in the state and almost three times as high as the national average of 12.84.

Driving under the influence and speeding have been significant factors in Galveston's road fatalities, accounting for 42% and 47% of all fatalities in 2022, respectively. In 2022, there were 15 road fatalities involving driving under the influence per 100,000 people and nearly 17 deaths involving speeding per 100,000; both figures are significantly higher than those in any other Texas city.

2. San Marcos

Crash score: 56.60

San Marcos, just off Interstate 35 between San Antonio and Austin, has alarming statistics that add up to a second-place finish in Texas cities with the worst drivers. It had the second-highest rate of driving fatalities in 2022, with 22.34 deaths per 100,000 residents, trailing only Galveston.

San Marcos has the fourth-highest rate of deaths involving speeding, the fourth-highest rate of deaths involving a positive blood alcohol concentration and the fifth-highest rate of deaths related to driving under the influence.

3. Wichita Falls

Crash score: 54.64

Wichita Falls, located northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, ranks fifth in the state for the highest rate of crashes caused by bad driving, with 8.78 incidents per 100,000 residents. The city also ranks third for fatalities caused by speeding, recording 11.71 per 100,000, more than twice as high as the statewide average. Of the 20 traffic fatalities in Wichita Falls in 2022, 12, or 60%, involved speeding, and 11 (55%) involved positive blood alcohol content.

4. Midland

Crash score: 52.83

Midland, the West Texas town known for oil production, also stands out as an unsafe place for driving. Deaths attributable to driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication occur at a higher rate than anywhere else in Texas except Galveston. The same goes for fatalities involving speeding and fatalities involving positive blood alcohol content.

5. Port Arthur

Crash score: 50.09

The officially designated Cajun Capital of Texas had the most crashes related to bad driving on a population basis in 2022, with 12.52 per 100,000 people. That rate is about two-and-a-half times the national and state average — and it means drivers in the Gulf Coast city need to be especially wary of others who are aggressive, careless and not following the rules of the road.

6. Odessa

Crash score: 46.76

Odessa is the next-door neighbor of fourth-ranked Midland, about 20 miles southwest on Interstate 20. Odessa ranks third for fatalities involving a positive blood alcohol concentration, with 12.35 per 100,000 residents. In fact, two-thirds of traffic deaths in 2022 involved alcohol. The city also has a high rate of deaths involving speeding, at 8.82 per 100,000, which is 70% higher than the state average.

7. Richardson

Crash score: 46.59

Richardson, a city 15 miles north of Dallas, has one of the highest rates in the state of traffic deaths involving driving under the influence: 5.08 per 100,000 residents in 2022, which is third-highest in Texas and more than twice the national average of 2.19.

The city also ranks sixth for fatalities involving speeding, at 8.47 per 100,000 people, which is more than twice the national average of 3.67.

8. Baytown

Crash score: 46.18

Baytown doesn't help the reputation among smaller coastal cities for having bad driving. It has the third-highest rate of bad driving crashes, with 9.47 per 100,000 residents in 2022. Baytown also has the fourth-highest fatality rate, with 20.58 crash-related deaths per 100,000 people, which is five more than the Texas average.

9. Longview

Crash score: 45.03

Longview, a city in northeast Texas located less than an hour from the Louisiana border, ranks sixth for crashes related to bad driving; in 2022, there were 8.52 crashes per 100,000 residents. It also had the seventh-highest number of traffic deaths, at 19.47 per 100,000 people, which is 29% higher than the state average.

10. Dallas

Crash score: 44.06

Each of Texas’ five largest cities is in the top 20 for worst drivers, but only Dallas appears in the top 10. The city is fourth in fatalities involving driving under the influence, with 4.69 deaths per 100,000 people. Dallas also has the seventh-highest fatality rate involving speeding, with 8.15 deaths per 100,000 people, which is about three more than the state average.

Comparing Texas’ worst drivers with America’s

When comparing drivers in Texas with those across the U.S., we found the state’s roads are more dangerous in nearly every category. Texas is only safer in the number of bad driving crashes per 100,000 residents, which is about 4% lower than the national rate.

Tips for navigating dangerous roads in Texas

Texas roads and highways can be intimidating for those who are new to the state. However, there are some ways to protect yourself while driving, no matter where you are. Here are some driving-related tips to help you stay safe:

• Stay alert and focused: Keep your eyes on the road and avoid distractions so you can react quickly to sudden changes. This means avoiding phone use entirely; pull over to a safe area if you need to make a call or use your device.
• Avoid aggressive driving: Stay calm and avoid engaging in aggressive or retaliatory behavior. Texas ranks 16th in the nation for drivers with the most road rage, so don’t join your fellow drivers in anger. Focus on safe and courteous driving, as aggressive actions endanger everyone on the road, including you and your passengers.
• Use defensive driving techniques: Be proactive by anticipating potential hazards and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles. These precautions will give you plenty of time to react to sudden changes on the road.
• Stay updated on traffic conditions: Use traffic apps or tune in to local news outlets to stay informed about road conditions and plan your routes accordingly. Floods along the Gulf Coast and tornadoes in the northeast area of Texas are notorious for leading to bad traffic and accidents.
• Maintain your vehicle: Regularly inspect your car for any issues to ensure it’s in top driving condition. Faulty tires and brakes can lead to crashes, as they make it difficult for you to react to other cars on the road. Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory in Texas, and failing to get one can lead to hefty fines.
• Invest in a dashcam: A dashcam can help you monitor road conditions and provide valuable evidence if an accident occurs. Having one can save you money if you run into potential disputes.

Crash score data by Texas city

The table below shows crash scores and score components for each of Texas’ cities with a population of 50,000 or more in 2022.

Methodology

To determine the top Texas cities with the worst drivers, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team looked at cities in Texas with a population of 50,000 or more. We analyzed the most recently reported crash data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

We looked at five crash factors and combined them to create a “crash score.” These factors include the following:

• Number of fatalities due to crashes per 100,000 people
• Number of crashes related to bad driving per 100,000 people
• Number of fatalities involving speeding per 100,000 people
• Number of fatalities involving driving under the influence per 100,000 people
• Number of fatalities involving positive blood alcohol content per 100,000 people

Examples of “bad driving” included:

• Aggressive driving/road rage
• Careless driving, inattentive operation, improper driving, driving without due care
• Driving on wrong side of a two-way road (intentional or unintentional)
• Driving wrong way on a one-way road
• Failure to yield right of way
• Following improperly
• Improper lane usage
• Improper or erratic lane changing
• Making other improper turns
• Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless or negligent manner
• Operator inexperience
• Passing where prohibited by posted signs, pavement markings or school bus displaying warning not to pass
• Passing with insufficient distance or inadequate visibility or failing to yield to overtaking vehicle

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact acurls@consumeraffairs.com.

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Article sources

ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).” Accessed June 29, 2024.Link Here