November 7 marks 26 years since the last day without a roadway death in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). TxDOT said more than 95,000 people have died in preventable crashes since November 7, 2000.
On Tuesday, TxDOT's Abilene District held its annual #EndTheStreakTX press conference in the parking lot of Hendrick Health's Vera West Women's Center. Community partners, local law enforcement and first responders attended. TxDOT Abilene District Public Information Officer Alaisha Montanez said the department works on projects such as sidewalks, mill and fill work, improved lighting, and road and bridge replacements. She said TxDOT also works with partners including Hendrick Health, the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Abilene Police Department and the Abilene Fire Department.
Starting November 7, TxDOT and DPS will hand out educational brochures during traffic stops, including stops that end in warnings or citations. DPS Sgt. Marc Couch said the brochures will remind drivers about seatbelts, speed and distracted driving.