Midland Road Safety Overview
Car wrecks are a common feature of most Texas cities, but you may find an increased risk of these car accidents in Midland. The number of car accidents in Midland reached over 2,900 in 2022 and climbed even higher in 2023. This means that about 250 accidents happen every day in Midland, some of which can leave people with severe or fatal injuries.
With so many accidents happening on a daily basis, you might wonder if it is possible to avoid experiencing a crash in the city. You can help keep your family safe on the road by understanding the basics of road safety in Midland and why accidents tend to happen in the area.
Midland’s 2024 Car Accident Report
The City of Midland releases an annual traffic report that contains helpful information about how many accidents happen in the city and where they occur. According to this report, the total number of car accidents in Midland has been increasing since 2020, reaching 3,016 in 2023. The number of injuries has been increasing as well, from 1,280 in 2022 to 1,359 in 2023.
Despite this, the number of fatal wrecks decreased from 23 in 2022 to 18 in 2023. There were 2,057 wrecks in 2023 that did not result in any injury — virtually unchanged from the previous year.
The report also identifies the locations in the city where the most accidents occurred.
These locations include the following:
- Loop 250 and Andrews Highway, which saw 72 accidents
- Loop 250 and Thomason Drive, where 55 accidents happened
- Loop 250 and Big Spring Street, which saw 40 accidents in 2023
- I-20 and Rankin Highway, where 37 crashes occurred
- Midkiff Road and Wadley Avenue, which was the site of 36 accidents
Over 200 of the city’s 3,016 accidents happened at these locations.
The Midland accident report also shows that there were 41 pedestrian accidents and 10 bicycle wrecks in 2023.
Common Causes of Midland Car Wrecks
Motor vehicle accidents in Texas do not just happen without a cause. Many of these causes are rooted in thoughtless or negligent choices. Examples of such decisions that lead to car accidents include:
Right-of-Way Violations
Right-of-way laws are crucial to traffic moving safely. Some of these laws are enforced by traffic signals and signs, such as stop and yield signs. In other situations, such as when turning left across traffic to enter a parking lot, drivers are expected to know and follow the law. In either situation, a wreck can easily result if these laws are not followed.
Speeding
Exceeding the speed limit may be commonplace in Texas, as well as nationwide. Nonetheless, it is always a risky decision to go faster than the posted limit. In inclement weather, even going the speed limit may create an unnecessary danger.
The faster your vehicle travels, the harder it is to control and safely stop in an emergency. A vehicle traveling at an excessive speed can also often cause more damage to others in a wreck than a car going at a slower speed.
Drowsy Driving
Just as drunk driving and impaired driving can interfere with your judgment and delay your reactions, so too can getting behind the wheel without sufficient sleep. The Sleep Foundation reports that driving while you are tired can be as dangerous as driving while impaired by alcohol.
Impaired Driving
Every state struggles to combat drunk and drugged driving, and Texas is no different. While illegal drugs, alcohol, and prescription medications can affect you in different ways, all of them can make you less capable of driving safely.
Distracted Driving
Drivers who are distracted pose a danger to others on the road and can cause injury wrecks and fatality crashes. Any object that takes a driver’s eyes away from the road can be a distraction, as can anything that requires you to take your hands off the wheel.
Midland Vision Zero
Like other communities like Dallas and Houston, Midland has recently adopted a Vision Zero plan. This plan is designed to address some of the causes of traffic fatalities in the city with the goal of eliminating all traffic-related deaths by 2050.
To accomplish this mission, Vision Zero plans to gather data concerning where fatal accidents occur and why they occur at these locations in Midland. Armed with this knowledge, city leaders can then make plans to address these dangerous areas of the city.
In some cases, the solution may be to add safety features like better lighting or updated signals. In other situations, a complete redesign of the road may be necessary.
The Future of Traffic Safety in Midland to Avoid Auto Collisions
Midland may see more than its fair share of traffic accidents. However, while the number of accidents in Midland is increasing, the majority of these incidents are non-injury accidents.
The number of fatal crashes is on a downward trend, which is a positive development. With the adoption of a Vision Zero safety plan, it is hoped that traffic fatalities in Midland will be eliminated one day.
Until then, exercise extra caution near those areas where accidents are most likely to occur and avoid behaviors that commonly contribute to accidents, such as distracted driving. These simple steps can reduce your chance of experiencing a crash in Midland.