Safe, defensive driving saves lives
TxDOT offers tips for driving kind, courteous and safe | Download video |
AUSTIN – There are 1,400 crashes on Texas roads every day, and driving defensively can help avoid them and get everyone home safe.
Defensive driving means staying alert, anticipating hazards and making choices that reduce the risk of being involved in a crash. It also reflects who we are as Texans by looking out for each other at home and behind the wheel.
In 2025, there were more than 538,000 traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 3,766 fatalities—an average of 10 lives lost every day. By staying defensive and driving like a Texan: kind, courteous and safe, future tragedies can be prevented.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is offering the following defensive driving tips centered around three values every Texas driver can embrace.
Drive kind
- Use your turn signal early and consistently, giving others time to respond.
- Give extra space to drivers who appear unsure or inexperienced.
- Slow down in neighborhoods, where people are walking and kids are playing.
- Avoid taking your frustrations out on other drivers. Road rage escalates quickly and puts you and everyone else at risk.
Drive courteous
- Let other drivers merge safely. Don’t speed up to block them.
- Keep a safe following distance: at least 2 seconds at 30 mph and below, and 4 seconds when driving above 30 mph.
- Allow room for trucks, buses and emergency vehicles. Slow down and move over when you see flashing lights.
- Make complete stops and yield appropriately at intersections.
- Avoid aggressive behaviors like tailgating, excessive honking or cutting off other drivers.
Drive safe
- Follow the speed limit and adjust your speed for weather, road and traffic conditions. Speed is the most common contributing factor in Texas crashes.
- Eliminate distractions and put your phone out of reach before you start driving. No text or notification is worth a life.
- Scan ahead, not just at the car in front of you. Looking 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle can help you spot potential hazards early and give you time to react.
- Buckle up on every trip and make sure everyone in your vehicle does the same.
- Never drive impaired. Alcohol, drugs and even some prescription medications can affect your ability to drive safely.
Driving like a Texan means recognizing that everyone sharing the road is a person who deserves to get home safely. These tips can help everyone Be Safe. Drive Smart. while on the road. Learn more at txdot.gov.
Be Safe. Drive Smart. is an important part of TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative. Drive like a Texan is about embracing the pride, camaraderie and responsibility of being a Texan on the road. By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com.
| Follow TxDOT’s Atlanta District on Facebook @txdotAtlantaTX, Instagram @txdotAtlanta, Nextdoor, X @txdotAtlanta and Threads @txdotAtlanta. The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of Apr. 24, 2026. To view additional traffic safety data, visit TxDOT’s Traffic Safety Data Portal online. |
| The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, maritime, rail and public transportation across the state. Connecting You with Texas |
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