These two Texas cities top list of deadliest places for drivers on Memorial Day weekend

David Montesino/dmontesino@star-telegram.com

North Texas is home to one of the deadliest cities to drive in over Memorial Day weekend, according to a new report.

Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year with 42.3 million people expected to venture out by car or plane, according to the American Automobile Association. Of those traveling, 37.1 million are expected to drive.

A new report from insurance savings app — Jerry — ranks Dallas as the second deadliest city to drive in over the holiday weekend in the entire country.

The company used traffic fatality data from the National Traffic Safety Administration from 2012 to 2021, along with population data from the U.S. Census Bureau to make the list. Outside of Dallas, the Lone Star State didn’t fare well on the list.

Houston claimed the top spot for “cities with the most crash fatalities” with 38 over 2021’s Memorial Day weekend. Dallas came in second and recorded 33 fatalities over the same stretch.

San Antonio wasn’t far behind at No. 6, recording 25 fatalities during Memorial Day weekend in 2021. Texas is the only state on the list to have multiple cities in the top 10.

In total, Texas had the most fatality crashes in the country over Memorial Day weekend in 2021 with 462.

“Though California is the most populous U.S. state, with a population about a third larger than Texas’s, Texas is the state that sees the most fatal traffic accidents during the Memorial Day holiday period, topping both California and Florida by a wide margin,” the report states.

What should I watch out for in Texas this Memorial Day weekend?

Just determining what day you travel over the holiday weekend could be the difference between life and death.

The deadliest day of the weekend overall across the country is Saturday, which saw 1,227 fatalities in 2021, according to the Jerry report. Sunday was next with 1,142, followed by Monday at 943 fatalities and 362 on Friday.

Of the fatalities recorded over 2021’s Memorial Day weekend, 61% of them involved alcohol. Speeding was another big factor on fatalities, contributing 31% to fatal crashes.

Finally, the deadliest hours of the entire weekend fall between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m.

If you’re driving, here’s how to stay safe during Memorial Day weekend?

The Texas Department of Public Safety has laid out a few tips for drivers this weekend:

  • Don’t drink and drive.

  • Move over or slow down for emergency vehicles such as police or fire.

  • Buckle up while driving.

  • Drive defensively and eliminate distractions such as mobile phones when on the road.

  • Check your vehicle to make sure its properly maintained.

  • Monitor road and weather conditions before driving.

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