Texas roads can be extremely scary places.

Bell County is getting bigger, and the growing pains have had some dangerous results, including more traffic fatalities.

A three-vehicle accident in Belton caused a woman's death on Thursday, January 20th, at the intersection of Lake Road and North Loop 121 around 4:30 in the afternoon.

After being taken to the hospital, the woman died later that same night, according to our news partner KWTX.

Rising Road Fatalities in Texas

We don't seem to be living up to our border motto, 'Drive Friendly - The Texas Way'.

For the past several years, about ten people have died every day statewide, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

What's really surprising is the statistics from the height of the pandemic. Even though Texas traffic dropped nearly 50%, the death rate went up to over 11 a day.

On November 7th, 2021, Texas marked 21 years of daily deaths on state roadways, with more than 75,000 people dying in preventable fatal crashes.

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Looking for Answers

Things can change for the better, but we all need to work together.

Late last year, the Texas Department of Transportation started the #endthestreak campaign, designed to raise awareness about highway safety. The goal of #endthestreak is to reach zero deaths from auto accidents on Texas roads.

Most crashes and fatalities are preventable, caused by actions such as speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving, according to TxDOT.

Please drive safely and friendly for everyone's sake - including your own.

Let's change those statistics and save lives.

 

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