An increase in trucking traffic around the Eagle Ford Shale area due to the energy boom is also causing an increase in accidents involving trucks. According to KBTX.com, “Last year 3,430 crashes were reported in the Eagle Ford Shale region from South Texas to the Brazos Valley that resulted in serious injuries or fatalities.” Bob Colwell with the TXDOT said, “We saw 236 fatal crashes last year and we think that is in part due to the increase in the oil boom.”
The traffic problems near the Eagle Ford Shale area have been a focus in Texas as reports of injuries are released, and as high-profile verdicts are reached. When a drive shaft broke off a truck traveling for Eagle Ford Shale activity and killed a veteran in 2012, the resulting lawsuit and verdict was big news because it was one of the largest in Texas history. The shale company involved in the suit was recently ordered to pay $281 million for the wrongful death of Carlos Aguilar as it was determined that their negligence in maintaining the truck caused the accident and death of Aguilar.
The problem has become so prevalent that the Texas Department of Transportation began a safe-driving campaign as an effort to improve the traffic situation.
