Texas Car Crash Statistics 2023 vs. 2022

More than a thousand people move to Texas daily, which means more drivers are traveling on our 200,000 miles of state-maintained roadways. To keep up with the influx, state officials have invested billions of dollars to make our roads safer.

Still, it’s been 23 years since a day went by without a traffic fatality in Texas.

And while this is a very stark statistic, Texas envisions a future with zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries. It has adopted a “Road to Zero” plan to reduce traffic fatalities on Texas roads to zero by 2050, and half by 2035.

So, how are we doing? Let’s look at crash statistics from the past two years.

Texas Crash Data

Have you ever wondered what happens to Texas crash reports after an accident? Where do they go from your local police department? These reports – whether filed by police or drivers through blue forms – are submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT).

Those reports are then entered into the Crash Records Information System (CRIS), an extensive database maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation. It contains data from every crash report filed in Texas. It is an exhaustive database from which useful information can be mined.

In this post, we will share our findings after doing just that – analyzing data from CRIS and other government agencies. You’ll find information here you won’t find anywhere else.

For example, it’s easy to track the increase or decrease in accidents based on crash type, but the information tells a much more helpful story when combined with other sources of information, such as data on population growth in Texas over the same period.

So, let’s jump right in and compare 2022 against 2023, the most recent years complete car crash statistics are available.

The Number of Crashes in Texas Held Steady in 2023

Overall, there were 3,367 more accidents reported in 2023 than in 2022. That is less than a 1 percent increase in the total number of crashes. There were 555,586 accidents in 2022 and 558,953 accidents in 2023. That translates to:

1,531 accidents per day in Texas in 2023
46,579 accidents per month;
10,748 accidents per week.

That’s just over 1 accident per minute in Texas in 2023.

	2022	2023
Total Crash Count	555,586	558,953
Population	30,026,547	30,500,000
Non-Injury, Non-Fatal Crashes with Property Damage	50,654	48,355
Non-Fatal Crashes With Injury	165,973	169,203
Fatal Crashes	3,965	3,855
Total Number of Fatalities	4,407	4,268
Total Number of Injuries	244,325	250,182

Texas Population Growth Against Crash Data

Let’s compare this against population growth. Texas, the second-largest state in the U.S. by both area and population, sees a vast amount of traffic on its roads each day. Texas grew in population by 1.6 percent last year, adding more people than any other state in the nation last year, according to the United States Census Bureau.

Although there were more crashes in Texas last year, the rate at which crashes increased was less than the rate that the population grew by.

Fatal Car Crashes Were Down in Texas

In 2023, there were 3,855 fatal car crashes in Texas, compared to 3,965 in 2022. That’s a 2.8 percent reduction in fatal car crashes, even while the population increased by 1.6 percent. Those crashes resulted in 4,268 lost lives in 2023 and 4,407 in 2022.

While even a single death is one too many, a reduction in fatal crashes is at least a step in the right direction. Advanced safety features in modern vehicles, combined with highway improvements and increased education, have likely contributed to the reduction of traffic fatalities across Texas.

The Number of Texans Injured in Motor Vehicle Accidents Went Up

And while fatalities decreased, the number of people injured in vehicle accidents increased in Texas. In 2023, 250,182 people were injured in vehicle accidents, compared to 244,325 the year before. That’s 5,857 more injuries from motor vehicle accidents in Texas in 2023 than in 2022. That is an increase of about 2.3 percent, slightly more than the increase in population in Texas over the same period of time.

Remarkable Reduction in Alcohol-Related Accidents in Texas in 2023

Drunk driving crashes are a serious problem in Texas, but fortunately, we are seeing a downward trend – especially in alcohol-related fatalities. In 2023, 3,547 people died in alcohol-related accidents, compared to 4,756 the year before, despite a 1.6 percent increase in population. This represents a 25.4 percent reduction in alcohol-related accident deaths in 2023.

Alcohol-related crashes overall were down, as well. In 2023, there were 23,844 alcohol-related crashes, compared to 24,951 the year before. That’s 1,107 fewer alcohol-related accidents, representing a 4.4 percent decrease.

	2022 Alcohol-Related Crashes	2023 Alcohol-Related Crashes
Total Crash Count	24,951	23,844
Non-Injury, Non-Fatal Crashes with Property Damage	7170	6606
Non-Fatal Crashes With Injury	24,921	24,262
Fatal Crashes	3946	2916
Total Number of Fatalities	4756	3547
Total Number of Injuries	49,529	47,384

Driving While Intoxicated Filings vs. Intoxication-Related Fatalities in Texas

Dallas, Tarrant, and Harris County all saw reductions in alcohol-related fatality crashes and misdemeanor DWI cases. Bexar County, which had the greatest reduction in alcohol-related fatalities, had about 10 percent more misdemeanor DWI cases filed in 2023 when compared to 2022.

Statewide, filings of misdemeanor DWIs dropped about 3.4 percent while alcohol-related motor vehicle accident deaths dropped by over 25 percent.

Dallas County Accidents

In 2023, there were 52,115 accidents in Dallas County, compared to 54,555 in 2022 – a decrease of 2,440 car accidents. And while the total number of accidents went down, fatalities were slightly up at 332 – 10 more than the previous year.

The number of alcohol-related fatalities went down significantly with 349 in 2023, compared to 551 in 2022.

The number of motorcycle accidents remained almost the same, with 42 in 2023 and 46 in 2022. The total number of individuals injured in accidents went up by over 500, with 25,142 injuries in 2023 and 25,708 in 2022.

Dallas County	2022	2023
Total MVAs	54,555	52,115
Fatalities	322	332
Injuries	25,708	25,142
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	551	349
Motorcycle Fatalities	46	42

Tarrant County Accident Statistics

There were 29,043 accidents reported in Tarrant County in 2023, up 34 accidents from 2022, a virtual dead heat. There were 13 more fatalities from car accidents in Tarrant County in 2023 compared to 2022, with 215 and 202, respectively.

There were 120 alcohol-related car accident fatalities in Tarrant County in 2023 – and 21 more than the previous year.

The number of motorcycle fatalities jumped from 40 in 2022 to 54 in 2023.

Tarrant County	2022	2023
Total MVAs	29,009	29,043
Fatalities	202	215
Injuries	15,831	15,698
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	141	120
Motorcycle Fatalities	40	54

Harris County Accident Statistics

The number of accidents stayed relatively steady in Harris County. There were 116,437 accidents in 2023, compared to 116,473 accidents reported to TXDOT in 2022.

The total number of fatal car accidents dropped from 559 in 2022 to 534 in 2023.

The number of alcohol-related fatalities had an even greater drop from 834 alcohol-related fatalities in Harris County in 2022 to 701 alcohol-related traffic accident deaths in 2023.

The number of motorcycle accidents went from 110 in 2023 to 100 in 2022. The total number of injuries arising from traffic accidents went up, from 46,569 in 2022 to 47,598 in 2023.

Harris County	2022	2023
Total MVAs	115,806	116,743
Fatalities	559	534
Injuries	46,569	47,598
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	834	701
Motorcycle Fatalities	110	100

Bexar County Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

The total number of accidents in Bexar County rose from 47,467 in 2022 to 48,690 in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of traffic fatalities dropped from 247 in 2022 to 209 the next year.

Bexar	2022	2023
Total MVAs	47,467	48,690
Fatalities	247	209
Injuries	19,851	20,077
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	318	132
Motorcycle Fatalities	28	37

Massive Drop in Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities in Bexar County in 2023

Even more remarkably, the number of alcohol-related traffic accident deaths dropped from 318 to 132, a reduction of almost 58 percent, the most significant drop in the cities mentioned in this article. According to the Office of Court Administration, in 2023 about 10 percent more misdemeanor driving while intoxicated cases were filed in Bexar County than the previous year.

First-Time DWIs Reduced in Bexar, But in More Limited Circumstances in 2023

Bexar County will offer reductions for a first-time DWI to an obstruction of highway charge, but in 2023, officials changed their policy to no longer allow reductions if the blood alcohol concentration was over .15 or if there was an accident. The county reported a 3 percent lower recidivism rate for individuals who pled to obstruction charges compared to those who pled to DWI charges.

Motorcycle accident fatalities in Bexar County increased from 28 in 2022 to 37 in 2023. The total number of injuries arising from traffic accidents in Bexar County increased from 19,851 in 2022 to 20,077.

Travis County Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

Travis County saw a slight decrease in motor vehicle accidents from 17,468 accidents in 2022 to 17,257 accidents in 2023, a reduction of 2.2 percent. The total number of fatalities went down by 5.3 percent and the number of alcohol-related fatalities went down by nearly 27 percent. Like many other counties, the number of motorcycle-related fatalities went up. In Travis County specifically, it went up nearly 13 percent in 2023.

Travis County	2022	2023
Total Crash Count	17,648	17,257
Total Number of Fatalities	169	160
Total Number of Injuries	11,105	10,831
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	205	150
Motorcycle-Related Fatalities	31	35

Collin County Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

In Collin County, motor vehicle accidents increased by 7.4 percent – from 13,824 in 2022 to 14,846 in 2023. The number of fatalities from motor vehicle accidents dropped from 76 in 2022 to 62 in 2023, an 18 percent reduction.

The total number of alcohol-related fatalities also dropped, from 70 in 2022 to 45 in 2023 – a 36% reduction. Collin County saw two fewer motorcycle-related deaths, dropping from 19 in 2022 to 17 in 2023.

Collin County	2022	2023
Total Crash Count	13,824	14,846
Total Number of Fatalities	76	62
Total Number of Injuries	6,821	7,242
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	70	45
Motorcycle-Related Fatalities	19	17

Denton County Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

Denton County had 12,262 total vehicle accidents in 2023, up from 11,966 the previous year – a 2.4 percent decrease. The total number of fatalities stemming from motor vehicle accidents increased from 48 in 2022 to 51 in 2023. There was nearly a 60 percent increase in alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths in 2023 compared to the previous year in Denton County, jumping from 25 to 40. The most dramatic increase in deaths was the nearly doubling of motorcycle-related deaths, jumping from 8 in 2022 to 17 in 2023.

Denton County	2022	2023
Total Crash Count	11,966	12,262
Total Number of Fatalities	48	51
Total Number of Injuries	4,747	5,083
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	25	40
Motorcycle-Related Fatalities	8	17

Hidalgo County Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

In 2023, Hidalgo County had an increase in crashes, from 17327 in 2022 to 17746 the following year – 2.4 percent increase. There was an increase in the number of fatalities from 76 to 83 during the same period, an increase of 9.2 percent. The number of alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities dropped from 129 to 116, a reduction of 10 percent, and the number of motorcycle accident-related fatalities dropped from 10 to 6 in 2023.

Hidalgo County	2022	2023
Total Crash Count	17,327	17,746
Total Number of Fatalities	76	83
Total Number of Injuries	9,539	10,160
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	129	116
Motorcycle-Related Fatalities	10	6

El Paso County Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

El Paso County saw a 3.15 percent drop in the total number of motor vehicle accidents in 2023 as compared to 2022, from 19471 to 18857. There was a nearly 7 percent increase in the number of fatalities arising from motor vehicle accidents, going from 89 in 2022 to 95 in 2023. There was a 30 percent increase in the number of alcohol-related fatalities, jumping from 76 to 99, and an 85 percent decrease in motorcycle-related fatalities dropping from 20 deaths in 2022 to 3 deaths in 2023.

El Paso County	2022	2023
Total Crash Count	19,471	18,857
Total Number of Fatalities	89	95
Total Number of Injuries	7,011	7,797
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	76	99
Motorcycle-Related Fatalities	20	3

Fort Bend County Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

In 2023, Fort Bend County had 11,549 total crashes – a 10 percent increase from the year before when there were 10,496 crashes. There was a 26 percent increase in the number of motor vehicle accident-related deaths, but a nearly 4 percent reduction in alcohol-related deaths. The number of motorcycle fatalities increased by one.

Fort Bend County	2022	2023
Total Crash Count	10,496	11,549
Total Number of Fatalities	34	43
Total Number of Injuries	3,946	4,379
Alcohol-Related Fatalities	26	25
Motorcycle-Related Fatalities	7	8

Motorcycle Accidents Increased in Texas in 2023

In 2023, there were 278 more motorcycle accidents than the year before, representing a 3.3 percent increase. There was also an increase in motorcycle accident fatalities – with 54 more fatalies in 2023, compared to 2022, which is a 7.7 percent increase.

	2022 Motorcycle Crashes	2023 Motorcycle Crashes
Total Crash Count	8,358	8,636
Non-Injury, Non-Fatal Crashes with Property Damage	130	124
Non-Fatal Crashes With Injury	7595	7790
Fatal Crashes	662	702
Total Number of Fatalities	702	756
Total Number of Injuries	9542	9718

Funding for Texas Road Improvements

Keeping Texas roadways safe is no small feat. That’s why the Lone Star State has the Unified Transportation Program (UTP), which is TxDot’s 10-year plan that guides transportation project development across the state.

UTP authorizes the distribution of dollars to fund the state’s highest-priority transportation projects. For example, TxDoT has earmarked $5.2 billion for projects in the Fort Worth area and $11.5 billion for projects around Dallas. This 10-year investment is part of $142 billion that will be poured into Texas roadways in an effort to enhance safety, improve congestion and connectivity, and preserve roadways.

The Road to Zero Goal

In 2019, the Texas Transporation Commission established the Road to Zero initiative. The goal is to reduce the number of deaths on Texas roadways by half by the year 2035 and zero by the year 2025.

In doing so, the Texas Transportation Commission acknowledged that most motor vehicle crashes and preventable and directed TxDot to develop and implement strategies to achieve this goal.

At the time of this article, the last deathless day on Texas roadways was on November 7, 2000. That means a person has died every single day for more than 23 years.

And while that is a very sobering statistic, we have made progress. The latest car crash statistics show that we’ve reduced the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents – including those involving alcohol – on Texas roadways even with the population increase.

Hopefully, with ongoing advancements in automotive technology, infrastructure safety enhancements, and robust educational campaigns, we will see a continued decline in these numbers year after year. Still, we have a very long way to go to get to the goal of zero fatalities by 2050.