Statistically speaking, it would be safe to assume that the longest highways connecting the largest cities would be the most dangerous. There would be more cars on the road, more impatient drivers during peak commuting times, and more unpredictable conditions over the entire length of the highway. In Texas, though, that is not the case. Some of the most dangerous highways in Texas with the most catastrophic vehicle accidents are relatively short highways that connect small towns. But they all share something else in common: they all cut through areas where oil drilling and fracking are booming.
A recent news article recounts the story of Daniel Zambrano who, after working a 24-hour shift, crashed into a stopped school bus at 70 miles per hour on Texas 72. Luckily, no children we harmed – they had actually been instructed to sit as close to the front of the bus as possible since the highway has become so unsafe. Unfortunately, though, Zambrano and two others died while four other workers in the van Zambrano was driving were injured.[1]
But this is not just one isolated incident. According to crash data compiled by the Houston Chronicle, the number of deaths as a result of catastrophic accidents where three or more people die in one crash has been rising in Texas every year. In 2010, there were 72, in 2012, there were 101, and in 2013, there were 148; that’s over a 205% increase in just 4 years. And there are projected to be even more catastrophic crashes this year: so far, there have been 81 fatalities between January and mid-July. Larry Busby, sheriff for Live Oak County, explains that Texas 72 is “called death row because we’ve had so many accidents… All the trucks go along it, and the road’s narrow… It’s dangerous out there.”[1]
Whether it is due to highways being unable to handle all the increased truck traffic, overworked and fatigued workers driving when they shouldn’t, or something else altogether, the simple fact is that fatal vehicle accidents are on the rise in Texas, especially in areas that are home to the oil and gas industries.
At Crosley Law Firm, we have also been working with many more clients who have been involved in accidents or who have lost a loved one on these increasingly dangerous highways. If you or someone close to you has been a victim in a vehicle accident, contact us right away. You can submit the details of your case on our website for a free review or you can call us at (877) 535-4529. We’re here to help you!
Reference
Olsen, L. (2014, September 23). As fracking has grown, so have fatalities on roads. San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved from http://www.expressnews.com/business/eagle-ford-energy/article/As-fracking-has-grown-so-have-fatalities-on-roads-5776275.php
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