TxDOT Launches Safety Campaign Amid High Fatality Rates in Texas Energy Regions

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-The Texas Department of Transportation of El Paso is urging motorists to exercise increased caution when driving through the state’s oil and gas producing regions, where nearly a quarter of all Texas traffic fatalities occur. Last year, 860 people lost their lives in traffic crashes across the state’s five main energy regions, including the Permian Basin. While this represents a 16% decrease in fatalities compared to 2024, officials emphasize that the number remains unacceptably high.

Energy sector operations necessitate the constant presence of large trucks, tankers, and heavy machinery on local roads. These vehicles can restrict visibility and reduce maneuvering space for other drivers. TxDOT is reminding drivers to give big trucks plenty of space, avoid their blind spots, and only pass when it is safe and legal.

“Speeding and distracted driving are the two leading factors contributing to crashes in these areas,” said Lauren Macias-Cervantes, a TxDOT El Paso spokesperson. “Tailgating is another major issue. Maintaining a safe following distance is crucial for everyone’s safety.”

To address the issue, TxDOT has rolled out an interactive traffic safety exhibit, set to visit high school football games throughout the energy sector. The campaign is supported by radio and TV public service announcements, including a message that urges drivers to slow down, put away their phones, and give large trucks space on the road.

In addition to public outreach, TxDOT is investing heavily in infrastructure upgrades to improve safety. Between fiscal year 2018 and May 2025, the department approved $2.8 billion for projects across the energy sector. Another $2.7 billion in funding is earmarked for similar projects over the next decade.

Drivers in these regions should also anticipate several road closures next week due to ongoing construction and repairs. Notable closures include full nighttime closures of South Desert between Vinton and Logwood for wall placement on October 19 and 22, as well as alternate lane closures on I-10 Westbound between Copia and Downtown. Additional repairs and ramp closures are scheduled on Cotton, Spur 601, and US-54.

TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” initiative underscores the importance of vigilance and patience on Texas roads, especially in areas where heavy industry meets everyday traffic.

Closures ( courtesy of Tx Dot El Paso):

I-10 Widening West Phase II

Monday, October 19

Thursday, October 22

9 p.m. – 6 a.m. (Nightly)

South Desert between Vinton and Logwood full closure.

Detour: Traffic to exit a Vinton towards Doniphan, proceed South on Doniphan, and proceed East on Los Mochis for access to South Desert.

Crews will be placing walls.

Saturday, October 24 – Monday, October 26

3 a.m. – 6 a.m. (51-Hr Closure)

I-10 eastbound between Anthony and Transmountain full closure

Detour: Traffic on South Desert, proceed through intersection at Anthony and Vinton, then enter I-10 eastbound after Los Mochis.

Crews will be placing bridge deck.

Borderland Expressway Phase 2 Project

Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 23

Daily, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

US-54 east and westbound between Mesquite Hills and McCombs alternate lane closures Mesquite Hills reduced to one lane between US-54 and Red Man Flaggers will be on-site directing traffic as needed for haul trucks crossing Mesquite Hills

Daily, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Flaggers will be on-site directing traffic as needed for haul trucks crossing at McCombs and Stan Roberts intersection

Crews will be working on bridge work and transporting earth embankment into the project.

Saturday, October 24 – Monday, October 26

4 a.m. – 6 a.m.  (50-Hr. Alternate Lane Closure)

US-54 east and westbound between Mesquite Hills and McCombs alternate lane closures

Crews will be working on a traffic switch to allow for construction of US-54 overpass and new road configuration.

Loop 375 Rehabilitation Project

Sunday, October 18 – Thursday, October 22

7 p.m. – 6 a.m. (Nightly)

Loop 375 (Border Highway) west and eastbound between Fonseca and Oregon alternate lane closures US-54 southbound exit ramp (Exit 20) full closure Loop 375 (Border Highway) westbound exit ramp (Exit 20) to US-54 East (Exit 20) and I-10 West full closure Paisano exit ramp to Loop 375 eastbound closed Loop 375 (Border Highway) eastbound exit ramp (Exit 58) and I-10 full closure

Crews will be working on mow strip and guardrail.

Montana Widening Project

Monday, October 19 – Tuesday, October 23, 2026

Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Montana Avenue westbound frontage road left lane closure from Saul Kleinfeld Drive to Tierra Este Drive.

Crews will be working on rip rap.

Purple Heart 375 Widening Project

Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 23

Daily 5 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Loop 375 north and southbound alternating lane closures between Montana Avenue and Spur 601

Crews will be doing shoulder work.

FM 76-Pedestrian Improvements Project

Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 23

Daily, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

North Loop Drive westbound right lane closure between Rose Lane Circle to Delta Drive

Crews will be working on replacing sidewalks and driveways.

Districtwide Striping Project

9 p.m. – 4 a.m. 

Sunday, Oct. 18

Loop 375 (Transmountain) east and westbound between Border Patrol Museum and McCombs mobile operations SH-20 (Doniphan) north and southbound between Borderland Rd to New Mexico State Line mobile operations BU-54A (Dyer) north and southbound to Texas/New Mexico State Line mobile operations FM-76 (North Loop) east and westbound between SH 20 (Alameda Ave) and FM 793 (Fabens) mobile operations FM-659 (Zaragoza) north and southbound between North Loop Dr and US 62 (Montana) mobile operations

Road Repairs

Monday, October 19 – Thursday, October 22

9 p.m. – 6 a.m. (Nightly)

I-10 westbound between Copia and Downtown alternate lane closures

Guardrail Repair

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Monday, October 19

US-54 southbound between Montana and I-10 east connecting ramp left lane closed Entrance ramps between CD lanes and US-54 southbound closed

Tuesday, October 20

I-10 westbound between Piedras and Cotton exit right lane closed

Wednesday, October 21

I-10 westbound connecting amp to US-54 northbound right lane closed

Thursday, October 22

Loop 375 eastbound between Yarbrough and Padres right lane closed

Concrete Work

Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 23

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Desert North between Artcraft and Transmountain right lane closed

Maintenance

Sunday, October 18

5 a.m. – 4 p.m.

US-54 South right lane closed

Crews working on bridge joints.

Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 23

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Cotton north and southbound between San Antonio and Delta alternate lane closures Spur 601 east and westbound between US-54 and Chaffee alternate lane closures Entrance ramp from US-54 North to Spur 601 east closed Entrance ramp from US-54 South to Spur 601 east closed Railroad entrance to Spur 601 east closed Chaffee entrance ramp to Spur 601 west closed

Crews will be working on bridge repairs.

I-10 East between Mesa and Resler left lane closed

Crews will be cleaning.

I-10 West between Raynolds and US-54 right lane closed I-10 East between Raynolds and Copia exit right lane closed Copia Exit will be closed I-10 East between Paisano and Trowbridge right lane closed Trowbridge Exit will be closed

Crews will be installing signs.

Districtwide Bridge Maintenance

Sunday, October 19 – Friday, October 23

9 p.m. – 6 a.m. (Nightly)

I-10 east and westbound at Schuster alternate lane closures I-10 east and westbound at Chelsea alternate lane closures Click here to follow the original article.

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