Driving in Austin, Texas can be a wild roller coaster of a ride. From the high-speed interstates to the constant construction zones and the influx of tourists, it’s no wonder that car accidents, wrecks, and collisions are a common occurrence in the “Live Music Capital of the World”. As a local Austin driver, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of dealing with dangerous drivers, the lack of police presence, and the ever-changing traffic patterns caused by construction.
But amidst the chaos, there’s a valuable resource that can help you understand the risks and make informed decisions: data. By analyzing car accident statistics in Austin, Texas, we can gain insights into the most dangerous areas, the common causes of crashes, and the potential impact on our community. So enough of the fluff, let’s dig into the numbers!
Top Austin Car Accident Statistics
To help you get a comprehensive understanding of car accidents in Austin, we’ve analyzed data from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the City of Austin’s Project Vision Zero. (In case you didn’t know, Vision Zero is “a commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Austin’s streets by 2030”.) By studying this data, we can identify trends, patterns, and areas of concern.
- On average, there are around 24 car crashes in Austin every single day.
- In Texas, there were 4,283 traffic deaths in 2023, which is down 2.81% from the previous year.
- Austin had 94 traffic deaths in 2023, down from a record high of 122 in 2022.
- As of August 2024, there have been 59 fatalities from traffic incidents in Austin, Texas.
- Travis County reported 200 deaths from motor vehicle-related deaths in 2023. Following automobile deaths were 57 pedestrian traffic-related fatalities.
- Additionally, there were 28 motorcyclists killed, 8 bicyclists killed, four killed in unknown circumstances, one killed on an electric scooter, one on a minibike, one on a boat and one killed in a wheelchair last year. (You can look at the image below to see where these incidents occurred.)
- In 2023, the estimated economic loss of all motor vehicle crashes in Texas was $56,200,000,000, down 2.8% from 2022.
- Texas ranks 2nd in worst states for drunk driving; 1/3 of 2022 US traffic fatalities involved alcohol.
- According to the TxDOT website, about 8% of Austin crashes resulted from drugged or drunk driving.
- Building off of that, you might be scared to find out that alcohol was detected in 27% of the fatal crashes of Travis County in 2023.
- According to the TxDOT website, police identified distracted driving as a factor in nearly 4,400 traffic crashes. This means about 26% of traffic accidents in Austin result from distracted driving.
- The City of Austin’s Vision Zero program saw a 500% increase in fatal bike crashes in 2023 compared to 2022.
- 90 out of the top 100 most congested roads in Texas are located in the big cities like Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
Looking to find out more about statewide traffic statistics? Head here to learn more and get a free download of our 2024 State of Texas Personal Injury Report.
Most Dangerous Roads around Austin, Texas
The City of Austin’s Vision Zero website includes a crash map for Austin where you’ll see how many crashes happen around the same few roads and intersections. Here are some of the most dangerous roads and intersections for car accidents in Austin, Texas:
- Interstate Highway 35
- US Highway 290
- Interchange of US Highway 183 and MoPac Expressway
- Intersection of Butler Road and Lamar Boulevard
- Intersection of Cesar Chavez Street and I-35
- Intersection of Highway 183 and Loyola Lane
- East Riverside Drive
- Guadalupe Street
- Intersection of Riverside Drive and S. Pleasant Valley Road
- Intersection of Parmer Lane and N. Lamar Boulevard
With interstate speed limits set at 85 miles per hour, it’s no surprise that speed is the leading cause of death on Texas Roads. But that’s not the only danger waiting for you on Austin streets. There are so many factors that make the roads in Austin, Texas so dangerous. Here are some of the biggest reasons why:
- Lack of police presence and traffic enforcement
- Alcohol
- Distracted drivers
- Poorly maintained crosswalks and/or sidewalks
- Confusing or missing traffic signs
- Timing issues with traffic signals
- Poorly situated bus stops
- Poor or no street lighting
- No bicycle lanes
Have You Been Injured in an Austin Car Accident? We’re Here to Help
Our team of car accident doctors at Pro-Care Medical Centers in Austin is here to help you after difficult trauma like wrecks (or even minor collisions). Pro-Care car accident chiropractors understand the importance of an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan to support your recovery and to support your car accident claim.
At Pro-Care Medical Centers across Texas, our car accident services include chiropractic care providers, medical doctors, neurologists, orthopedists, and pain management specialists who are experienced in treating car accident injuries. Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident in Austin can be a difficult process, so we’ll provide you with industry-leading treatment and care so you can focus on getting better and recovering from your injuries.
Schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you today!
