New statistics for the 2014 calendar year indicate that both traffic fatalities and crashes rose in 2014 compared to 2013 in the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin. In 2014, 696 drivers were killed and over 8,600 crashes involving fatal or serious injury occurred. In the Eagle Ford alone, there were 272 fatalities due to traffic accidents compared to 240 fatal accidents in 2013 – that’s over a 13% increase. These numbers are more tragic news after the 7% and 15% increase in serious- or fatal-injury crashes from 2012 to 2013 in the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin, respectively. According to the San Antonio Express-News, the Texas Department of Safety expects crashes to continue increasing as more traffic floods into these energy-rich areas.

In light of the risks in these areas with much higher trucking traffic, the state has been taking steps to make roadways safer. Recently, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has worked with energy companies, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and individual communities to promote a safe driving and awareness campaign called “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” This campaign encourages drivers to take common-sense measures to remain safe in the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin by buckling up, driving at safe speeds, passing carefully, always stopping at red lights and stop signs, and avoiding distractions – like using a cell phone – while driving.

TxDOT has also been making efforts to improve and repair roadways in the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin. Projects costing millions of dollars, like road widening and repairs on several major trucking thoroughfares, have been underway for over 6 months now.

Unfortunately, as the new numbers for 2014 show, these efforts have not slowed down the trucking accidents and crash fatalities in the region. The San Antonio Express-News reported that Laura Lopez, spokeswoman with the Texas Department of Transportation’s San Antonio district, said “We want to remind folks, especially in the energy sector areas, to watch out for those 18-wheelers.”

Here at Crosley Law Firm, we regularly handle auto and trucking collision cases, and we regularly report trucking accident news like these tragic statistics from the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin. If you or someone you know has been injured or lost a loved one as a result of a trucking accident, you need the help of a qualified, experienced attorney. Call Crosley Law Firm at (888) 535-4529 to schedule your free consultation; one of our expert attorneys will go over the details of your situation and provide you with advice about your best course of action. Don’t wait – call today!

References:

Hiller, J. (2015, March 21). Fatal accidents rise in the Eagle Ford Shale, Permian Basin: TxDot pushes safety campaign, fast-tracks repairs. San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved from http://www.expressnews.com/business/eagle-ford-energy/article/Fatal-accidents-rise-in-the-Eagle-Ford-Shale-6150308.php 

Texas Department of Transportation. (2015). Be safe. Drive smart. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved from http://www.txdot.gov/driver/share-road/be-safe-drive-smart.html