Insurance Council of Texas reporting fewer traffic fatalities in 2018

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – The Insurance Council of Texas is out with it’s statistics on traffic fatalities for 2018.

Mark Hanna with ICT says after many years of climbing fatal crashes, the number actually dropped last year.

Traffic fatalities dropped 4% from 3,720 in 2017 to 3,567 last year.

Hanna says the number of pedestrian fatals was down for 2018. Dropping from an all time high of 676 fatal auto pedestrian accidents in 2016, to 597 in 2018.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding continue to be the leading causes of fatal traffic crashes. “Together, both of these factors make for a deadly combination.”

Hanna says some credit for the decline has to be given to a law that went into effect in September.

“The one factor that may have contributed to the drop in fatalities last year is the state’s new law banning texting while driving.”

He says you can help reduce fatal crashes by:

Keep your attention on driving at all times – no multi-tasking.

Be aware of what other drivers around you are doing, and expect the unexpected.

Build time into your trip schedule to stop for food, rest breaks, phone calls or other business.

Avoid driving when you’re tired. Be aware that some medications cause drowsiness and make operating a vehicle very dangerous.

Always wear your seat belt and drive sober and drug-free.