Do Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents in Texas Increase in Winter?

Yes, the latest data shows that deadly auto accidents increase in Texas during the wintertime — and that Texas is one of eight states to see fatal wrecks spike when the temperatures drop. That’s notable because most states see deadly motor vehicle accidents drop in colder months.

Here’s why, with a closer look at how inclement weather contributes to surges in traffic deaths in the Lone Star State and:

• Where Auto Wrecks Surge in Winter: Top 8 States
• Winter Car Accident Statistics in Texas
• Why Winter Driving Is So Risky
• How to Drive Safely in Texas Winters: 10 Essential Tips

For a deep dive into deadly crashes involving teens, check out our reports on fatal teen wrecks involving no seatbelt use and teen trucker wrecks.

Where Auto Wrecks Surge in Winter: Top 8 States

Insurance industry experts have analyzed how seasonality and weather changes impact crash rates, ranking every state according to the number of fatal car accidents per mile driven. Based on their findings:

• Eight states were found to have a higher rate of fatal crashes in the winter.
• Texas ranks 8th on this list in terms of how much fatal wrecks spike during colder months.

The table below highlights the top eight states that typically see an increasing rate of deadly wrecks (per mile driven) during the wintertime.

*Rates reflect fatalities for every 1 billion miles driven.

Remarkably, most of the states that experience spikes in winter traffic deaths are not regions associated with incredibly snowy winters. It’s also worth noting that:

1. Texas is tied with Alabama for having the 3rd highest fatal crash rate in the wintertime.
2. Looking at fatal crash rates outside of winter, Texas also ranks 3rd, trailing New Mexico and Florida and being within 0.2% of the winter crash death rates.  
3. Although Texas fatality rates for winter versus non-winter crashes do not fluctuate as much as they do in other states (like Hawaii where there’s a 2.3% difference), the Lone Star State has consistently higher death rates, indicating that the risk of fatal wrecks in Texas remains relatively high year-round.

Winter Car Accident Statistics in Texas

Backing up the findings from the insurance study above, statistics from Texas transportation authorities add some key details and nuance to this picture. In particular, the  latest data reveals that:

• January is one of the deadliest times to drive on Texas interstates, with fatal wrecks on these roads spiking the first month of the year.
• City streets are also especially deadly in Texas winters, with more fatal crashes happening on these roads over December, January, and February than any other season of the year.
• Day for day, February is the deadliest winter month on Texas’ roads, with an average of about 14 fatalities every day, compared to December and January, which average out to roughly 12 and 11 deaths daily, respectively.
• Overall, Texas winter months tend to see consistent increases in fatal crashes when compared to milder months.
• Last year, there were zero “deathless” days on Texas roads. In other words, at least one fatal motor vehicle accident occurred every day in the Lone Star State in 2023.

Adding a striking twist to this data landscape is the fact that while fatal winter crashes in Texas spike based on miles driven, the statistics show that the actual total number of deadly auto accidents in the Lone Star State falls during the colder months versus other seasons.

The table below highlights this key point, revealing that deadly wrecks in Texas are at their lowest in the winter and the highest in the summertime.

The crucial difference in rising fatality rates on the roads in winter versus the actual number of wintertime deaths on the roads dropping may be explained by the fact that:

• Miles driven declines during the winter while it increases in the warmer months.
• With fewer miles driven and crash rates remaining relatively steady, the rates for fatal wrecks in winter rise.

Why Winter Driving Is So Risky

Weather is a major reason that winter driving can be so dangerous, but it’s not the only factor that can contribute to more fatalities on the roads when the temperature drops. Here are some additional factors that can elevate crash risks when you’re driving in the wintertime:

• Slick roads: Storms, heavy rain, hail, and a cooler winter climate can all reduce traction on the roads, making them far more “slippery” and, in turn, more challenging to slow down and stop on.
• Impaired visibility: Less daylight during winter can mean dusk comes earlier, dimming natural light and reducing visibility closer to rush hour when more motorists are routinely commuting home.
• Poorly maintained roads: Texas ranks 17th on a list of the states with the most poorly maintained roads in the nation. That’s according to Consumer Affairs, and it means that wintertime driving in Texas can be far more challenging than it would be if the roads were better maintained.
• Winter driving skills: Safely navigating the roads as the weather (and other) conditions change can mean slowing down speeds, leaving more headroom between vehicles, and making other adjustments behind the wheel. Many motorists aren’t necessarily thinking about how they should adjust their driving behaviors in the winter, and that can lead to riskier decisions behind the wheel.
• Vehicle changes: Cold temperatures can impact various systems and equipment in vehicles, including engines, batteries, and tires. With tires specifically, colder weather can contract the air inside of tires, reducing the air pressure, which can affect how a vehicle handles. Beyond that, reduced air pressure in tires can increase the risk of blowouts while extending stopping times. That combination of factors can also increase the risks of winter driving.

How to Drive Safely in Texas Winters: 10 Essential Tips

Whenever you’re driving in Texas or elsewhere in the winter, here are some simple, yet incredibly helpful, tips that can help you minimize any risks and navigate the roads more safely:

1. Prepare your vehicle: Check your tires for both tread and air pressure. Get your lights, brakes, battery, and engine inspected. Replace your windshield wipers and wiper fluid if needed. Consider an oil change before temperatures drop. These steps can keep vehicles running optimally through colder months.
2. Create a “kit” for your car: Put together a kit of items to keep in your car in case you end up broken down or stranded in the winter. Include water, blankets, a flashlight, and batteries, as well as a backup (prepaid) cellphone, so you can call for help and wait safely for assistance if needed.
3. Slow down: Drop your speed by about one-third in bad weather to avoid skidding and losing control of your vehicle.
4. Increase your following distance: Double or triple the standard space you leave between vehicles to give yourself enough room to slow down and stop in more slippery conditions.
5. Avoid cruise control: This feature can increase the risk of hydroplaning and losing control of vehicles, especially when the roads are slick.
6. Stay informed: Keep a close eye on the weather and road conditions, checking before you venture out, especially ahead of any longer road trips.
7. Talk to teen drivers: Teens may not be fully aware of how wintertime can alter driving conditions and risks. Discussing these changes with teen motorists can help raise their awareness while promoting better choices behind the wheel.
8. Give yourself plenty of time: Try not to leave at the last minute. Rushing and concerns about being late can contribute to speeding, aggressive driving, and other unsafe maneuvers. To avoid that, make sure your plans account for longer commute times at slower speeds.
9. Make backup plans: Sometimes, it may not be safe to venture out on the roads in rough winter weather. When this is a possibility, create a Plan B to put in play, so you can avoid driving if it’s just too dangerous to be on the roads.
10. Know your options: No matter how safe you are on the roads, you cannot control every factor in your environment. Sometimes, that can end up leading to car crashes. When it does, knowing how to get help and exercise your legal rights to recovery can be pivotal to securing justice and making things right.