Houston Personal Injury Attorneys – Smith & Hassler

As Speed-Related Crashes Surge, Houston Drivers Are Urged to Slow Down

Speeding isn’t just reckless. In Texas, it’s often deadly. Last year alone, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported nearly 160,000 speed-related crashes across the state. These collisions caused 1,467 fatalities, making up almost 35% of all traffic deaths in Texas.

To address this alarming trend, TxDOT has launched its latest public awareness effort: the “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign. And for Houston drivers, the message couldn’t be clearer: slow down before it’s too late.

At Smith & Hassler, our Houston car accident lawyers understand the devastating impact of speed-related crashes. High-speed collisions often result in serious injuries, long-term consequences, and emotional trauma for victims and their families.

That’s why campaigns like “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” matter. As TxDOT works to raise awareness across Texas, drivers in Houston are being reminded that slowing down could save lives.

Speeding Can Be a Deadly Decision

“Speeding is not an accident; it’s a choice,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams, according to a recent report. “When you choose to drive even just a little over the speed limit, you’re not only risking your own life; you’re risking the lives of every person on the road with you, and that’s not being a good Texan.”

That’s why TxDOT is doubling down on its efforts to raise awareness and change driver behavior. The “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign features country music star Parker McCollum in new public service announcements, encouraging Texans to slow down and look out for one another.

The campaign runs in tandem with Operation Slowdown, a speed enforcement initiative that takes place from July 18 to August 3. During this period, law enforcement officers across Texas are cracking down on speeding, especially in school zones, construction areas, and along high-speed highways.

How Speeding Causes Serious Injury and Death

The faster a car is moving, the harder it is to control and the more catastrophic the impact can be in a crash. Speeding drastically reduces a driver’s reaction time, making it nearly impossible to stop in time to avoid a collision.

High-speed accidents are known to cause:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord damage
• Internal bleeding
• Broken bones and severe lacerations
• Fatalities, including pedestrian and cyclist deaths

Speed doesn’t just increase crash risk. It amplifies the severity of every injury.

TxDOT’s Tips for Safer Driving in Houston

TxDOT is urging drivers to be more mindful behind the wheel and to make smarter choices. Here are key safety reminders from the department:

• Match your speed to road conditions. Wet pavement, poor visibility, and heavy traffic all require slower speeds.
• Allow extra time to stop. Give more following distance, especially in bad weather or around construction zones.
• Look for reduced speed signs. Be alert in school zones and areas with active roadwork.
• Know the consequences. Traffic fines are doubled in school or work zones when workers are present.

Hurt by a Reckless Driver in Houston? We’re Ready to Help.

At Smith & Hassler, we have spent over 30 years helping crash victims across Texas fight for the justice and compensation they deserve. Don’t just take our word for it — our client testimonials speak for themselves.

If you or someone you love was injured in a speeding-related crash, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Our experienced Houston car accident lawyers know how to investigate high-speed collisions, build strong cases, and fight back against insurance companies that try to minimize claims.

We offer free consultations with no obligation, just honest answers and a clear strategy. And because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today to schedule your free case review.

“Mr. Carter, Abigail, and his team took care of me and made sure I knew what was going on with my case, and helped me understand the process until the very end. Thank you again.” – Elisa M., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Increased Patrols May Prevent Crashes, But Accidents Still Happen

Houston, we have a problem, and it’s not just the heat or the traffic; it’s what’s happening in that traffic. In 2024, the city recorded the highest number of car accident deaths in Texas. Drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are dying at alarming rates, even as police hand out more and more citations. Something doesn’t add up.

We have hundreds of tickets, multiple highways, and dozens of officers swarming roadways for a few days at a time. It looks impressive on paper. But is it really making a difference? Is Houston missing the bigger picture?

In early 2025, Houston police launched a series of “traffic enforcement surges” across major highways such as I-45, U.S. 59, Texas 288, and the South Loop. These weren’t routine patrols. These were concentrated, high-visibility operations, with dozens of officers stopping drivers and writing tickets as fast as their pens could move.

The first two major surges netted over 470 citations in just three days. That’s a staggering number. City officials touted the efforts in press conferences and social media posts, promising more to come. The message was clear: dangerous driving won’t be tolerated. But these surges are short, one or two days, and then the show moves on. There’s no permanent presence or lasting deterrent.

Why are Houston’s roads so dangerous?

Part of the answer lies in the city’s size and sprawl. Houston is a massive metro area with limited public transit and a deeply car-dependent culture. People have to drive everywhere. That means more cars on the road, more miles driven, and more chances for something to go wrong. Additionally, highways cut through urban centers, bringing 70 mph traffic within feet of residential neighborhoods, schools, and businesses. Aggressive behavior, distracted driving, and impatience are all too common.

Why is Houston relying so heavily on enforcement?

There’s a long history of trying to change driver behavior through fear of punishment. You’ve seen it before: Click It or Ticket, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. The flashing red-and-blue lights in your rearview mirror are meant to make you think twice. To some extent, it works in the moment. When drivers know police are around, they slow down, signal, and put their phones away. But the effect is fleeting. Once the officers leave, the old habits creep back in.

Enforcement also plays well with the public, as it gives the impression of action. Residents complain about speeders in their neighborhoods, so the city responds with patrol cars and radar guns. But the truth is that enforcement alone treats the symptom, not the cause.

What’s missing from the equation?

You can’t talk about dangerous driving without talking about the environment in which people drive. Road design shapes behavior. Wide, straight highways with few obstacles invite speed. Poorly lit intersections create confusion, while a lack of pedestrian infrastructure increases the chances of a tragedy.

Houston’s roads were built for cars to move fast, not for people to move safely. That design philosophy shows up in the data. High-speed crashes, pedestrian fatalities, and rollover accidents all thrive in this kind of setting.

The most effective traffic safety strategies blend enforcement with design. Raised crosswalks, better signage, narrower lanes, and speed humps nudge drivers to slow down without anyone needing to issue a single ticket. But in Houston, we’ve seen very little of that. Despite the grim statistics, there’s been no major push to redesign high-risk roadways or rethink how our infrastructure influences behavior. That’s a missed opportunity and a deadly one.

Instead of asking how many tickets we can write, we should be asking how many lives we can save. That requires more than just patrol cars. A real solution would bring together city planners, transportation engineers, community leaders, and residents to redesign the most dangerous corridors. It would mean slowing traffic, not with threats, but with smarter design. It would mean investing in sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and lighting.

It would also mean using data. Where are crashes happening? When? Why? Too often, we’re reacting to tragedy instead of preventing it. That needs to change. Enforcement still matters, but it should be consistent, equitable, and data-informed—not just a surge when cameras are rolling.

What’s the real cost of doing nothing?

Behind every crash statistic is a human life. A teenager on their way to school, a father heading home from work, or a child crossing the street. These aren’t just numbers; they’re stories that ended too soon. If we keep relying on tickets and traffic stops alone, those stories will keep repeating.

It’s time to think bigger, smarter, and more human. Traffic safety isn’t just about catching bad drivers; it’s about building a city where fewer people make fatal mistakes in the first place.

Experienced lawyers serving injured victims across Texas for over 30 years

If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident in Houston or anywhere in Texas, you have the right to justice and full compensation. The Houston car accident lawyers at Smith & Hassler have over 30 years of experience fighting for crash victims across Texas. We know what it takes to hold negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable. We build strong cases, demand maximum compensation, and don’t back down from insurance companies.

Our law firm offers free consultations where you’ll get a clear explanation of your rights, a strategy tailored to your situation, and an honest estimate of what your case may be worth. We’ll answer your questions, review the facts, and let you know exactly what to expect. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay absolutely nothing unless we win. That means no upfront fees or surprise bills.

To get started, contact us online or call our law offices in the greater Houston area to book a free consultation with our legal team. The sooner you act, the faster we can help you get the best possible outcome for your case.

“I’m so thankful that I chose Smith and Hassler to represent me in my auto collision case. I would recommend them to anyone who found themselves in a similar situation as myself.” – D.O., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐