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Public Information Office
(512) 424-2080

February 2, 2004

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Texas Department Of Public Safety
Accident Records Bureau

Final 2001 Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Data

Total Accidents, Fatalities, and Death Rates

During 2001, there were 3,319 fatal traffic accidents, resulting in 3,739 deaths. This was a 1.0% decrease from the 2000 fatality figure of 3,775 deaths. The Texas Department of Transportation reported that 216,276 billion vehicle miles were traveled in Texas during 2001. This was a 2.8% increase in miles traveled as compared to 2000. Based on the recorded fatalities, the Texas death rate for 2001 was 1.7 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

There were no deathless days in 2001. There were three accidents where six or more persons were killed.

TABLE 1:

	2000	2001	% Change
Fatal Accidents	3,247	3,319	2.2%
Injury Accidents	205,569	207,043	0.7%
Non-Injury Accidents	110,174	113,596	3.1%
Total Accidents	318,990	323,958	1.6%
Persons Killed	3,775	3,739	1.0%
Persons Injured	341,097	340,554	-0.2%
Vehicle Miles Traveled	210,340 Billion	216,276 Billion	2.8%
Death Rate (Per 100 M. vehicle miles traveled)	1.8	1.7	5.6%
Injury Rate (Per 100 M. vehicle miles traveled)	162.2	157.5	2.9%

Alcohol Related Fatalities
In 2001, there were 1,005 persons killed in alcohol related accidents. This is a 4.0% decrease from the 1,047 alcohol related fatalities in 2000. 26.9% of all fatal accidents involved alcohol in 2001, which was a 2.8% decrease from 27.8% in 2000.

TABLE 3:

	Persons Killed	Person Killed in Alcohol Related Traffic Accidents	Percent of Total Persons Killed
1993	3,037	1,219	40.1%
1994	3,142	1,170	37.2%
1995	3,172	1,138	35.9%
1996	3,738	1,244	33.3%
1997	3,508	1,066	30.4%
1998	3,576	1,058	29.6%
1999	3,519	998	28.4%
2000	3,775	1,047	27.7%
2001	3,739	1,005	26.9%
% Change	-1.0%	-4.0%

Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities - Alcohol Involved

Motorcycle Fatalities
There were 244 motorcycle fatalities (operators and passengers) in 2001. This figure was a 24.5% increase over the 196 killed in 2000. 67% of all motorcyclists fatally injured (operators and passengers) were not wearing helmets.

TABLE 4:

	Motorcyclists Killed	% Not Helmeted
1993	157	16%
1994	126	13%
1995	129	14%
1996	115	10%
1997	116	26%
1998	152	53%
1999	181	60%
2000	196	63%
2001	229	67%
% Change	16.8%

Motorcyclists Killed

Motorcyclists Killed - Percent Not Helmeted

Rural Accidents, Fatalities, and Death Rates
Deaths in rural areas of Texas, which includes towns with less than 5,000 population, decreased by 1.9%, compared to 2000. These deaths comprise 57.3% of the statewide death toll. In 2001, the death toll on rural interstates, increased by 9.3%. Alcohol related fatalities in rural areas decreased by 11.3% from 2000 to 2001.

TABLE 2:

	2000	2001	% Change
Fatal Accidents	1,842	1,848	0.3%
Injury Accidents	44,985	46,255	2.8%
Non-Injury Accidents	32,011	34,207	6.9%
Total Accidents	78,838	82,310	4.4%
Persons Killed	2,187	2,146	-1.9%
Persons Injured	74,940	76,542	2.1%
Vehicle Miles Traveled	69,412 Billion	71,371 Billion	2.8%
Death Rate (Per 100 M. vehicle miles traveled)	3.2	3.0	-6.3%
Injury Rate (Per 100 M. vehicle miles traveled)	108.0	107.0	-1.0%
Alcohol Related Fatalities	655	581	11.3%

Cell Phones
In 2001, there were 1,032 accidents, with 8 fatalities, where cell phone usage was coded a contributing factor. This was an increase of 44.1% from 2000.

	Cell Phone Related Accidents	Cell Phone Related Fatalities
2000*	716	7
2001	1032	8
% Change	44.1%	14.3%

*It is important to note that new accident reporting forms listing cell phones and road rage as contributing factors were not available until April 2000, so comparing the two years may not present an accurate picture.

 

Cell Phone Related Accidents

Road Rage
In 2001, there were 219 accidents, with 1 fatality, where road rage was coded a contributing factor. This was an increase of 143.3% from 2000.

	Road Rage Related Accidents	Road Rage Related Fatalities
2000*	90	1
2001	219	1
% Change	143.3%	NC

*It is important to note that new accident reporting forms listing cell phones and road rage as contributing factors were not available until April 2000, so comparing the two years may not present an accurate picture.

Road Rage Related Accidents