Enhancing Traffic Safety in Energy Work Zones

Carol Rawson, TxDOT

Traffic Operations Division Director

• Safety is TxDOT’s #1 priority.

• Driving conditions have changed in high-activity energy production areas.

• TxDOT is partnering with industry, DPS, and local communities to increase safety.

Traffic fatalities are up statewide:

• 3,400 people killed in traffic crashes in Texas in 2012.

• 11% increase over last year.

• 56% occur in rural areas.

Crash Data

More vehicles and more crashes:

•Eagle Ford Shale – 2,723 fatal and serious injury crashes in 2012.

Fatalities up 40% since 2011.

•Permian Basin – 4,128 fatal and serious injury crashes in 2012.

Fatalities up 27% since 2011.

Crash Data

Leading causes of crashes:

• Failure to control speed.

• Driver inattention.

Half of fatal and serious injury crashes involve single vehicle. Most dangerous time of day: 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

Crash Data

TxDOT Road Improvements Projects

Three E’s Engineering Enforcement Education

New Safety Campaign

Goal: Reduce fatalities and crashes by providing safety messages for driving in high-traffic areas.

New Safety Campaign

Audiences: • Local residents. • Oil and gas industry workers. • Motorists traveling through work zones.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Remind drivers to use extra caution in energy work zones: Give trucks space. Drive a safe speed. Pass carefully. Always stop at red lights and stop signs. Avoid distractions. Buckle up.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Media campaign: Billboards, radio, gas station ads, digital, newspapers, and TV. PR: Media events in five major oil and gas areas. Partnerships with industry: Truck decals and safety programs.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Campaign materials tested in focus groups in Eagle Ford Shale.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Billboards across Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Billboards across Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Billboards across Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Billboards across Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Pump toppers and window decals in 66 gas stations.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

“Be Safe” Radio Jingle

customized by region

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Media Events • Permian Basin • Barnett Shale • Eagle Ford Shale • Granite Wash • Haynesville Shale

Karnes City press event with local officials, industry, trucking association, and DPS.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Coming this summer: • New TV and radio PSAs

in English and Spanish.

• Another round of billboards, gas station ads, and newspaper ads.

• Online and mobile ads.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

Thank you.