Not all vehicles carry the same crash risk in Texas. Motorcycles and pedestrians face disproportionately high fatality rates relative to their numbers on the road. Here is a breakdown of Texas traffic fatalities and crashes by vehicle and road user type based on TxDOT crash data.
Passenger car and light truck occupants account for the largest share of Texas traffic fatalities. In 2022, 2,304 of these deaths occurred in rural areas which represent over 51% of all TX traffic fatalities. Single-vehicle run-off-road crashes were the leading crash type with 1,471 deaths.
Motorcyclists represent 18% of all Texas traffic fatalities despite being a small fraction of all vehicles on the road. In 2023 motorcycle fatalities hit a record high of 599. Riders are 85% likely to be injured in any given crash and lack the physical protection of a car’s steel frame and airbags.
Pedestrian fatalities increased by 0.24% between 2021 and 2022 in Texas with 828 pedestrians killed. Pedestrian deaths are disproportionately concentrated in urban areas where foot traffic intersects with vehicle traffic. Texas cities — particularly Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio — have some of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the nation.
Truck and SUV occupants accounted for 612 traffic fatalities in Texas in 2022. Head-on collisions accounted for 636 deaths statewide — a crash type that frequently involves larger vehicles crossing the center line on rural two-lane roads.
Pedalcyclist fatalities increased by 1.11% between 2021 and 2022 in Texas with 91 bicyclists killed. Urban areas with higher cycling activity see the most bicycle fatalities. Like pedestrians bicyclists are among the most vulnerable road users with no physical protection in a collision with a motor vehicle.