The Texas Department of Transportation has launched the Be Safe, Drive Smart campaign to urge motorists to stay alert and drive at a safe speed in the state’s oil and gas producing areas.
According to TxDOT, driving on busy roads in the state’s oil and gas production areas can be both challenging and dangerous. Energy exploration and production across Texas requires many large trucks and heavy machinery, and drivers should take extra care to safely share the road with these vehicles.
Increased truck traffic can mean limited visibility and less room on the road for drivers, potentially creating hazards that are difficult to navigate and maneuver around.
The state’s energy sector has seen an outsized amount of traffic fatalities compared to other areas. Last year, nearly 25% of all traffic fatalities across Texas occurred in the state’s main energy-producing regions.
Failure to control speed and driver inattention are ranked as the top two contributing factors to crashes in the Lone Star State’s five main energy regions.
In 2025, 77,258 traffic crashes occurred in Texas’ five main energy regions —the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, Barnett Shale, Anadarko Basin and the Haynesville/ Bossier Shale—resulting in 860 fatalities last year. These traffic deaths accounted for 23% of the state’s total traffic fatalities last year.
Speeding and distracted driving were the top two factors contributing to crashes in oil and gas areas across Texas. TxDOT offers these important reminders for driving safely in energy producing areas: -Drive a safe speed. Follow posted speed limits.
-Stay alert and focus 100% on driving. Put cell phones away: no talking or texting.
-Give large trucks plenty of space.
-Maintain a safe following distance.
-Avoid trucks’ blind spots.
-Always get a sober ride.
-Obey all stop signs and traffic signals and Always buckle up.