Rockwall, Texas – It’s Thanksgiving. It’s the official start of the holiday season, but it’s also the busiest day of the year. People from all over the country rush home for a Thanksgiving dinner with their families. Because of this, the number of crashes in the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas is usually higher compared to any other period of the year. And in Rockwall County, the number of fatal crashes is already higher in 2023 than all of 2022. And TxDOT confirmed this in a video posted on X early November.
Fatal crashes in Rockwall County were already higher in 2023 than all of 2022
Earlier this month, TxDOT posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying that the number of crashes in Navarro and Rockwall counties was already higher in 2023 than all of 2022. TxDOT hasn’t provided the exact number of fatal crashes, as they are usually reported the next year in their annual reports. However, they noted something that we already know: speeding is the top factor in fatal crashes.
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The traffic in Rockwall County
If you ask a Rockwall resident what they hate the most in the Rockwall County area, you will most probably hear one thing: the traffic! The traffic in Rockwall County is a mess. Every day. Regardless of the season or the period of the year, Rockwall is struggling with traffic, and it seems there is no quick fix to this problem in the short run. And it’s obvious that the number of fatal crashes in Rockwall County has grown in 2023 compared to 2022. But how did we get here?
Growing population and fatal crashes in Rockwall County
Rockwall County has grown a lot in the past decade. The proximity of Dallas is probably one of the main factors. Being close to a large city yet being out of the urban jungle makes Rockwall County the top choice among thousands of people every year. But a growing population means more people and more vehicles on the roads. With more traffic, the risk of fatal crashes in Rockwall County has grown significantly over the years.
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Road infrastructure in Rockwall County
While the population in Rockwall County has grown significantly, the road infrastructure and development of new roads haven’t followed the same pace. Everyday commuters can easily confirm this, as they face the very same traffic problems almost every single day. Rockwall County needs serious road infrastructure investments as soon as now. This should be the pillar of improving safety on the roads and lowering the number of fatal crashes and victims in the long run.
The primary causes of fatal crashes in Rockwall County
As we already mentioned, the TxDOT hasn’t provided the exact numbers of fatal crashes in Rockwall County in 2023, but the main reasons for fatal crashes remain the same: speeding, following the front vehicle too closely, inattentive driving, and driving under the influence.
Traffic and fatal crashes during Thanksgiving
According to data, most Americans will drive at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving to reach their holiday destination. Since Wednesday afternoon, the day before Thanksgiving, until Thursday, law enforcement has seen a significant increase in crashes on the roads. Other factors that impact this dramatic increase are the possibility of bad weather conditions, holiday stress, distracted driving, drunk driving, and night driving impairments.
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Number of fatal crashes in Rockwall County in last years
The number of crashes and fatal crashes in Rockwall County has been growing in recent years. According to TxDOT data, there have been a total of 1,402 crashes in Rockwall County in 2020, 1,703 in 2021 and 1,814 in 2022.
Crashes in Rockwall County in 2020
Fatal crashes: 6
Total number of fatalities: 7
Suspected serious crashes: 26
Suspected serious injuries: 30
Suspected minor crashes: 125
Suspected minor injuries: 159
Possible injury crashes: 230
Possible injuries: 346
Non-injury crashes: 997
Non-injuries: 3,049
Unknown severity crashes: 18
Unknown injuries: 77
Total number of crashes: 1,402
Crashes in Rockwall County in 2021
Fatal crashes: 9
Total number of fatalities: 9
Suspected serious crashes: 34
Suspected serious injuries: 38
Suspected minor crashes: 142
Suspected minor injuries: 184
Possible injury crashes: 247
Possible injuries: 365
Non-injury crashes: 1,240
Non-injuries: 4,053
Unknown severity crashes: 31
Unknown injuries: 117
Total number of crashes: 1,703
Crashes in Rockwall County in 2022
Fatal crashes: 6
Total number of fatalities: 6
Suspected serious crashes: 44
Suspected serious injuries: 55
Suspected minor crashes: 165
Suspected minor injuries: 208
Possible injury crashes: 223
Possible injuries: 325
Non-injury crashes: 1,347
Non-injuries: 4,356
Unknown severity crashes: 29
Unknown injuries: 93
Total number of crashes: 1,814
Crashes in Rockwall County 2020-2022, annual data comparison
| Category | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | YoY – 2021 to 2020 | YoY – 2022 to 2021 |
| Fatal crashes | 6 | 9 | 6 | 50.00 | -33.33 |
| Total number of fatalities | 7 | 9 | 6 | 28.57 | -33.33 |
| Suspected serious crashes | 26 | 34 | 44 | 30.77 | 29.41 |
| Suspected serious injuries | 30 | 38 | 55 | 26.67 | 44.74 |
| Suspected minor crashes | 125 | 142 | 165 | 13.60 | 16.20 |
| Suspected minor injuries | 159 | 184 | 208 | 15.72 | 13.04 |
| Possible injury crashes | 230 | 247 | 223 | 7.39 | -9.72 |
| Possible injuries | 346 | 365 | 325 | 5.49 | -10.96 |
| Non-injury crashes | 997 | 1240 | 1347 | 24.37 | 8.63 |
| Non-injuries | 3049 | 4053 | 4356 | 32.93 | 7.48 |
| Unknown severity crashes | 18 | 31 | 29 | 72.22 | -6.45 |
| Unknown injuries | 77 | 117 | 93 | 51.95 | -20.51 |
| Total number of crashes | 1402 | 1703 | 1814 | 21.47 | 6.52 |
Check also: TxDOT and Rockwall County collaborate on major infrastructure upgrade, public input needed
What to do to stay safe on the road and minimize the risk of crash
Every year, around 50 million Americans travel before and after the Thanksgiving weekend. In Texas, it’s estimated that around 4 million people will travel home to spend the holiday with their families, most of them by car. In December 2022, there were over 100 people killed and over 200 seriously injured in DUI-related crashes. Nearly 40% of those happened over Thanksgiving weekend, Texas Department of Transportation data shows. Things to keep in mind to stay safe on the road:
Speeding
Speeding is the top factor when it comes to fatal crashes. TxDOT urges drivers to stick to the speed limit all the time. This is especially important during the winter and in construction zones.
Drunk driving
Holidays are the period when alcohol is involved in almost every celebration. But don’t mix alcohol with driving. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE! From Thanksgiving to the end of the year, drunk driving is the top factor when it comes to fatal crashes. Drive sober!
Buckle up
Always buckle up. Seatbelts are there for a reason. They save lives in the event of a crash, and everyone should buckle up regardless of their final destination.
Don’t use your cell phone while driving
Distracted driving is one of the top factors leading to serious and fatal crashes. And the main reason for distracted driving is the cell phone. Remember, you can always call back or respond to that text message once you reach your final destination. Most modern cars are equipped with enough technology, so always use hands-free in case you have to immediately respond or call someone.
Plan your time ahead
Slow down. Better be safe and late than sorry. Plan your time ahead so you don’t have to rush. Speeding not only significantly increases the chance of a crash, but you can also get a “holiday present” in the name of a speeding ticket.
➡️Fatal crashes in Collin Co.⬆️more than 60% b/t 2021-2022
➡️# of fatal crashes in Navarro & Rockwall counties already more in 2023 than all of 2022.
➡️A top factors in fatal crashes? Speeding.
Help #EndTheStreakTX of these preventable crashes by following posted speed limits. pic.twitter.com/J0xnUPClBP— TxDOT Dallas (@TxDOTDallas) November 8, 2023