State leaders and TxDOT aim for safety on Texas’ dangerous energy sector roads
By Matthew Waller
AUSTIN — State leaders are calling for oversight of the oil and gas industry-affected roads, and a state agency has kicked off a safety campaign in those areas where tractor-trailers take up a good portion of highways.
The Texas Department of Transportation is launching a new safety campaign aimed at drivers traveling through the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale area, two of the state’s hot spots in oil and gas production.
“Safety is our top priority at TxDOT and we strongly encourage drivers to exercise additional caution when traveling through energy zones and other areas where they share the road with heavy trucks and equipment,” John Barton, TxDOT deputy executive director, said in a news release. “Being safe and driving smart could be the difference between crashing and reaching your destination.”
Funded with $1 million, TxDOT is planning a media blitz on billboards, gas pump advertising, newspaper ads and TV and radio spots featuring. The “Be Safe, Drive Smart” campaign offers advice such as “Always buckle up,” “Pay attention, which means no talking or texting on cellphones or engaging in any other distracting behaviors” and “Stop for all signs and red lights.”
“TxDOT’s annual Click It or Ticket campaign is a great example of how one of our safety awareness initiatives is changing behaviors and saving lives,” TxDOT spokesman David Glessner wrote in an email. “Since the campaign’s inception in 2002, Texas’ seat belt use rate has climbed steadily from 76 percent to 94 percent today. It is our hope that these kinds of awareness campaigns will continue to encourage Texas drivers to obey traffic laws and stay alert so they can avoid crashes and safely reach their destinations.”
There were 4,371 traffic crashes in the Permian Basin in 2013 that caused serious injuries or fatalities. The crashes resulted in 358 fatalities in the 59-county area that covers 75,000 square miles. The fatality number is a 13 percent increase over 2012, according to the release.
The primary cause of the crashes were “failure to control speed and driver inattention,” and the most dangerous times were around 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., the release states.
TxDOT also said 2013 saw 3,430 Eagle Ford Shale crashes causing serious injuries or death. There were “236 fatalities in the 26-county Eagle Ford Shale region that stretches from Laredo to Huntsville. Those fatalities represent a 16-percent decrease from 2012. According to law enforcement, the leading causes of crashes in the region were failure to control speed and driver inattention. The most dangerous times of day were around 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,” another TxDOT release said.
State lawmakers have been charged with keeping an eye on state agencies and their efforts to improve transportation in energy producing zones.
One charge before the next legislative session to the House Transportation Committee from House Speaker Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is to “monitor the usage of state funds by the Texas Department of Transportation for improving road quality in areas impacted by Energy Sector activities.”
In an email, Erin Daly, a spokeswoman with the speaker, said, “Speaker Straus is committed to ensuring safe roads for all Texans, including maintenance and improvements to roads throughout the state’s booming energy corridors.
“During the 83rd Regular Session, the Speaker worked to secure an additional $250 million for energy roads, and is also working with Members throughout the interim to find comprehensive solutions for our growing state’s transportation needs.”
Lawmakers have voiced concern about TxDOT’s decision to turn paved roads to gravel in certain areas, a move that the state agency backed away from.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst announced interim charges based on online feedback, and one to the Senate Transportation Committee concerned safety and care for energy-affected roads.
“Lt. Governor Dewhurst asked the committee to examine the anticipated impact increased oil and gas production will continue to have on roadways and bridges. He also asked the committee to make recommendations to enhance the safety and infrastructure damaged by truck activity related to oil and gas exploration and production,” a release from Dewhurst’s office said.
Transportation funding in general has been slated as a major topic for discussion in the coming legislative session, given that TxDOT said they were facing what the then Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, called a “fiscal cliff of highway funding.”
TxDOT anticipated needing $4 billion to $5 billion in state funds to keep up with maintenance and congestion.
Voters will have the opportunity in November to approve a measure that would divert oil and gas taxes headed to the so-called Rainy Day Fund and possibly raise $1 billion for TxDOT.
Reprinted with permission from the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.