Silver Lining? Dallas County Crashes Cut by 41% (so far) During COVID-19 Outbreak

Michael GrossmanApril 07, 2020 2 minutes

Public crash data provided by the Texas Department of Transportation indicates that total motor vehicle crashes in Dallas County have been reduced by over 40% since March 11th.

While a decline in traffic collisions is certainly to be anticipated as Texans observe shelter in place and social distancing to help slow the spread of the COVID-19, the numbers are no less shocking.

Below we've detailed the decline in crashes in Dallas in the three weeks since the World Health Organization officially classified the outbreak a pandemic.

Note: This post was last updated on April 13, 2020 to reflect the most up-to-date crash data possible. In this post we have cited TxDot crash data through April 1, 2020. It is possible that this data is slightly incomplete, as officers have 10 business days to file new crash reports. We will be updating this post as necessary as new data becomes available.

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Dallas County Crash Totals During COVID Outbreak vs. Previous Period
Dallas County Crash Totals Over the Last 12 Months
Drunk Driving Crashes Decline in Dallas County During COVID Outbreak
Conclusion

Dallas County Crash Totals During COVID Outbreak vs. Previous Period

This chart compares the number of vehicles crashes, fatalities, and injuries in Dallas County from the period of March 12, 2020 through April 1, 2020 to the previous period of February 20, 2020 through March 11, 2020. Data source: TxDot. View full sized image.
Date RangeCrashes FatalitiesInjuries
March 12 - April 1, 2020 (COVID)2523161110
February 20 - March 11, 20203816191662
-41%-17%-40%

Dallas County Crash Totals Over the Last 12 Months

This chart displays the number of monthly vehicles crashes, fatalities, and injuries in Dallas County from April 2019 through March 2020. Data source: TxDot. View full sized image.
MonthCrashesFatalitiesInjuries
April 20195322162499
May 20195421252790
June 20195206282494
July 20194769212380
August 20195315182544
September 20195167212420
October 20195667292688
November 20195466212438
December 20195356252630
January 20205119222357
February 20205180242267
March 20204450291983

Drunk Driving Crashes Decline in Dallas County During COVID Outbreak

This chart displays the number of alcohol-involved vehicles crashes, fatalities, and injuries in Dallas County from the period of March 12, 2020 through April 1, 2020 to the previous period of February 20, 2020 through March 11, 2020. Data source: TxDot. View full sized image.
Date RangeCrashesFatalitiesInjuries
March 12 - April 1, 2020 (COVID)78453
February 20 - March 11, 2020131075
-51%+∞-34%

Conclusion

There isn't a lot of good news right now, but as Dallas personal injury attorneys we can't help but feel some gratitude that the COVID-19 outbreak has, a least temporarily, reduced the prevalence of vehicle crashes and injuries in our home county.

Check back next month as we'll be following up on this post with updated, expanded crash data.