Texas marks 26 years of daily roadway deaths

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- On Nov. 7, Texas will mark a tragic milestone: 26 years of daily roadway deaths.

To help raise awareness, TxDOT is reminding you of safer driving behaviors to make sure you make it back home.

TxDOT spokesperson Lauren Macias-Cervantes joins ABC-7 at 4 on Friday to share them.

Since November 7, 2000, more than 95,000 Texans have lost their lives in preventable crashes, according to TxDOT.

It says just last year, 3,763 people died on Texas roadways -- 55 of those were here in El Paso.

While Macias-Cervantes says fatalities declined in 2025, an average of 10 people still die every day in traffic crashes across the state.

October recorded the highest number of traffic fatalities in the past five years.

In just one month 12 lives were lost.

The leading factors that TxDOT says contribute to fatal and serious crashes in El Paso are impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and failure to wear a seat belt.

They say they can all be prevented with these simple habits:

• Buckle up
• Drive based on weather conditions
• Use the speed limit as a guide
• Don’t drive distracted
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Here are some upcoming road closures:

Artcraft
Mon., Nov. 9: 9 p.m. – 6 a.m.

• North Desert between Artcraft and Transmountain full closure
  Crews will be placing concrete girders.
  Mon., Nov. 9, 11 p.m. – 6 a.m.
• I-10 eastbound at Redd exit ramp full closure
  Crews will be placing forms for bent caps.
  Tues., Nov. 10- Fri., Nov. 13, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (daily)
• I-10 EB at Redd exit ramp closed
  Crews will be placing forms for bent caps.

Concrete work
Wed., Nov. 11 and Thurs., Nov. 12: 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. (Nightly)

• I-10 WB between Geronimo and Paisano left lane
• I-10 EB between Raynolds and Paisano left lane
  

Road Repairs
Mon., Nov. 9 – Fri., Nov. 13: 9 p.m. – 6 a.m. (Nightly)

• I-10 WB between Copia and Downtown alternate lanes