On average, 10 people a day die on Texas roads, and every single day since November 7th, 2000, at least one person has died in a traffic fatality here in Texas.

This has led to TxDOT's #endthestreak initiative, "an effort to raise awareness about the long streak of traffic deaths in Texas and how this is an issue that impacts every Texan."

Most of us know that certain factors make driving more dangerous, like distracted driving, drunk driving, and inclement weather. Here we will look at the most dangerous times and areas on Texas roads- and for which groups of people. 

The WHEN

Did your parents tell you, "Nothing good ever happens after midnight"? Statistically, they were not wrong, if we are talking about driving on Texas roads. The most fatal times on Texas roads are Saturday and Sunday, between 2-3 a.m. Perhaps we should amend the saying, "Nothing good ever happens after the bars let out."

The most dangerous month for fatal accidents is October. While there is more driving and therefore more accidents in Summer and December due to holiday travel, October is more deadly. It's a combination of inclement weather and the loss of daylight hours. In essence, October tends to be a transitional month here in Texas and we don't seem to adjust quickly enough, on average.

And as much as it hurts me to admit this about my favorite holiday- there's a huge bump in fatal accidents on Halloween. Increased traffic and alcohol are obvious culprits.

The WHERE

Construction zones are more dangerous than fully operational roads, of course. That's why reducing speed and paying close attention to signage and cones is so important.

More specifically, these are the most dangerous roads in Texas: I-45, I-35, U.S. HWY 83, and State HWY 130 (specifically the stretch that is 85 m.p.h.), although we should take note that some of these highways are very long so of course the more, the more accidents.

Interestingly, there are on average more fatalities per wreck on rural roads than on city roads, but of course, the most fatalities overall happen on highways.

The Who

You would think that accidents would stay fairly even across different demographics, but that isn't the case. Men are much more likely to die in a car accident. Check out this graphic from TxDot:

We can speculate why men are more likely to die, but I think the answer (at least a big part of it) is in that graphic, men drive a lot more. We must also consider motorcycles- which see more fatalities on average than cars, and most motorcyclists are men.

Additionally, 25-34-year-olds are more likely to die in a crash than other age groups, again, by a considerable margin. If you're a male in that age range, that may be the reason your insurance premiums are so high.

Remember, no matter when or where you drive, or who you happen to be, there are many things we can do (and not do) to reduce fatal accidents in Texas. Don't drive distracted- a text or phone call can wait. Don't drink and drive. Always drive defensively and always pay close attention in construction zones. Together we can save many lives, including our own.