August 30, 2018 - Special to TRA from Landon Biehl -
If you’ve ever traveled I-45, which is pretty unavoidable if you live in Texas, you probably know it’s notorious for being one of the most dangerous highways in the United States. It’s not uncommon to experience traffic congestion and delays due to a multiple car pileup on or hearing a tragic news story about yet another crash on I-45 due to road rage or other reckless driving.
Interstate 45 is considered to be the second deadliest highway in the U.S. and scored in the top five in accidents such as alcohol-related accidents and fatalities at night.
Each year there are hundreds of freshman, from all over the U.S., heading to colleges and universities, in Dallas and Houston. The easiest way to move your soon-to-be college freshman into campus housing is packing up the car (and maybe even a U-Haul) and drive there. Unfortunately, you’ll have to take I-45 to get to your destination.
As a parent of a recent high school grad, who is heading to college, there might be many worries on your mind; worrying about your loved one traveling back and forth on I-45 should not be one of them.
Stay Safer By Staying Off Of The I-45
Want to calm your worries and help keep your college student safer while they’re away at college or visiting on the weekends? Some public transportation options aren’t convenient, and ridesharing can be expensive and doesn’t eliminate the issue of traveling on I-45.
The Texas bullet train is one of the safest and most convenient options. Let’s take a look at some of the most common contributing factors for accidents in Texas and see how they can be avoided by taking the fast train.
Distracted Driving
According to TxDOT, in 2017, there were 100,687 accidents involving a distracted driver; of those accidents, there were 444 deaths and 2,889 serious injuries. Even though it is illegal for motorists to read, write, or even send a text while driving in Texas (effective as of September 2017), we’ve all seen at least one driver who texts and drives.
By taking the Texas bullet train, there’s time to get caught up on emails, texts, and even a few phone calls.
Alcohol-Related Accidents
Accidents involving a driver under the influence of alcohol affects thousands of Texans every year, and many innocent lives are lost in an otherwise very preventable accident. The TxDOT reports that in 2017, there were 157 fatalities (of individuals 21 years and younger) due to a drunk driver.
Riding the bullet train, rather than traveling I-45, can significantly reduce the risk of being a victim in a DUI-related accident.
Driver Inexperience
Younger drivers are more at risk of being involved in an accident due to their lack of experience behind the wheel. Even if a college-aged driver is a lifetime resident of Texas and has traveled in I-45 as a passenger, there may be limited experience when it comes to driving.
Inexperienced drivers are less likely to know what to do on busy highways like I-45, and their defensive driving skills may not be as good. According to more 2017 statistics from TxDOT, more than 500 fatal crashes involved a driver who was 21 years old or younger. There were hundreds more involved in non-fatal accidents.
Not only is the bullet train a safe and convenient option for inexperienced drivers, but for anyone who has to travel the I-45 every day.
Landon Biehl is an advocate for safe roads and driving behaviors. Having a family tie to these types of accidents, Landon takes special interest in educating our communities. He feels passionate about ensuring individuals are taking proactive approaches to educating their community members, through precautionary efforts. In his free time, he enjoys writing, reading, and spending time outdoors. You can catch Landon on twitter at @lbiehl1, or via email: l.biehl1@gmail.com
If you’ve ever traveled I-45, which is pretty unavoidable if you live in Texas, you probably know it’s notorious for being one of the most dangerous highways in the United States. It’s not uncommon to experience traffic congestion and delays due to a multiple car pileup on or hearing a tragic news story about yet another crash on I-45 due to road rage or other reckless driving.
Interstate 45 is considered to be the second deadliest highway in the U.S. and scored in the top five in accidents such as alcohol-related accidents and fatalities at night.
Each year there are hundreds of freshman, from all over the U.S., heading to colleges and universities, in Dallas and Houston. The easiest way to move your soon-to-be college freshman into campus housing is packing up the car (and maybe even a U-Haul) and drive there. Unfortunately, you’ll have to take I-45 to get to your destination.
As a parent of a recent high school grad, who is heading to college, there might be many worries on your mind; worrying about your loved one traveling back and forth on I-45 should not be one of them.
Stay Safer By Staying Off Of The I-45
Want to calm your worries and help keep your college student safer while they’re away at college or visiting on the weekends? Some public transportation options aren’t convenient, and ridesharing can be expensive and doesn’t eliminate the issue of traveling on I-45.
The Texas bullet train is one of the safest and most convenient options. Let’s take a look at some of the most common contributing factors for accidents in Texas and see how they can be avoided by taking the fast train.
Distracted Driving
According to TxDOT, in 2017, there were 100,687 accidents involving a distracted driver; of those accidents, there were 444 deaths and 2,889 serious injuries. Even though it is illegal for motorists to read, write, or even send a text while driving in Texas (effective as of September 2017), we’ve all seen at least one driver who texts and drives.
By taking the Texas bullet train, there’s time to get caught up on emails, texts, and even a few phone calls.
Alcohol-Related Accidents
Accidents involving a driver under the influence of alcohol affects thousands of Texans every year, and many innocent lives are lost in an otherwise very preventable accident. The TxDOT reports that in 2017, there were 157 fatalities (of individuals 21 years and younger) due to a drunk driver.
Riding the bullet train, rather than traveling I-45, can significantly reduce the risk of being a victim in a DUI-related accident.
Driver Inexperience
Younger drivers are more at risk of being involved in an accident due to their lack of experience behind the wheel. Even if a college-aged driver is a lifetime resident of Texas and has traveled in I-45 as a passenger, there may be limited experience when it comes to driving.
Inexperienced drivers are less likely to know what to do on busy highways like I-45, and their defensive driving skills may not be as good. According to more 2017 statistics from TxDOT, more than 500 fatal crashes involved a driver who was 21 years old or younger. There were hundreds more involved in non-fatal accidents.
Not only is the bullet train a safe and convenient option for inexperienced drivers, but for anyone who has to travel the I-45 every day.
Landon Biehl is an advocate for safe roads and driving behaviors. Having a family tie to these types of accidents, Landon takes special interest in educating our communities. He feels passionate about ensuring individuals are taking proactive approaches to educating their community members, through precautionary efforts. In his free time, he enjoys writing, reading, and spending time outdoors. You can catch Landon on twitter at @lbiehl1, or via email: l.biehl1@gmail.com