At more than 314,000 miles, Texas boasts the largest system of public roads among the 50 states. It also holds the unfortunate distinction of being one of the deadliest states for New Year\u2019s car accidents.<\/p>\n
An analysis of 2014-2023 traffic data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows Texas is the ninth worst state for traffic deaths on New Year\u2019s Eve and New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
During the 10-year period covered by the analysis, commissioned by AutoAccident.com, Texas tallied 280 traffic deaths on New Year\u2019s Eve and New Year\u2019s Day \u2014 the highest total of any state. The 280-person toll in Texas works out to 9.61 deaths per one million residents, a rate that\u2019s 37 percent above the national average of 6.99 deaths per one million residents.<\/p>\n
The analysis reveals that nearly three-fourths (64 percent) of New Year\u2019s Eve and New Year\u2019s Day traffic deaths in Texas were drivers, nearly one-fifth (19 percent) were pedestrians, and 16 percent were passengers.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Year\u2019s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights on American roads,\u201d says Edward Smith, managing attorney at AutoAccident.com<\/a>, a personal injury law firm. <\/p>\n \u201cWith impaired driving incidents spiking during holiday celebrations, every driver has a responsibility to make smart choices that protect themselves and others sharing the road,\u201d Smith adds. \u201cEven in states with strong safety records, one preventable death is too many.\u201d<\/p>\n