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New survey shows fatalities on the rise as growing statewide population puts more drivers, workers on the road
AUSTIN
As traffic increases along Texas roadways because of our booming population, fatal crashes are on the rise. In an effort to curb the trend, the Texas Department of Transportation was joined by state leaders, the city of Austin and members of the transportation industry to ask the public to Be Safe. Drive Smart (video and photos available). In recognition of National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 15-19, TxDOT’s Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign reminds drivers to slow down, stay alert and observe traffic signs when approaching work zones. “Crashes and fatalities in work zones are preventable,” TxDOT Deputy Executive Director John Barton said. “We can build safe highways and increase law enforcement efforts, but ultimately work zone safety is in the hands of all of us who drive. For safety’s sake, we ask that drivers put down their cell phones, slow down, plan for alternate routes and be patient.” At any one time there can be as many as 1,000 active work zones in Texas, Barton said. TxDOT currently has 20 active work zones along I-35 encompassing 109.6 miles from north to south Texas. This is the most work zones the agency has ever had on the state’s main corridor as it tackles one of the largest construction programs in department history. In 2012, there were 16,687 crashes in roadway construction and maintenance zones in Texas, resulting in 134 fatalities. “Any time your job site is just a few feet away from fast-moving traffic, danger is never far away,” said Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez, vice chairman of the House Transportation Committee. “When you see construction signs and orange barrels, take your foot off the gas, put the phone down and keep your eyes on the road.” Work zone crashes have become such a concern, the Associated General Contractors of America recently conducted a survey, which found a staggering 45 percent of Texas’ highway contractors had motor vehicles crash into their construction work zones during the past year. Those work zone crashes injured drivers and passengers 62 percent of the time, and construction workers 19 percent of the time. This issue is not exclusive to urban areas. In fact, 46 percent of fatal work zone crashes occurred in rural areas last year. “Texans love our wide-open spaces,” Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. “Unfortunately, there is a higher percentage of fatal crashes on our state’s rural roads compared to urban areas. Wherever you live, it’s vital we all take precautions in work zones. Prioritizing safety above arriving a few minutes early could spare your life and the life of another hard-working Texan.” During National Work Zone Awareness Week, TxDOT’s permanent dynamic message signs along state highways and roadways will remind drivers to use caution, be safe and drive smart in work zones. The messaging comes at a critical time as Texas welcomes more than 1,000 newcomers per day, many of whom are not familiar with the state’s traffic laws.
(Uvalde, TX)
Uvalde-Kinney-Maverick-Real Counties Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Nancy Condit announced her support for Earth Day. Climate change can seem like a remote problem, but in fact it impacts real people, animals, and their environments. These “Faces of Climate Change” are multiplying every day. Fortunately, we can do something about it. Every year on April 22, more than one billion people take part in Earth Day. Across the globe, individuals, communities, organizations, and governments acknowledge the amazing planet we call home and take action to protect it. The Farm Service Agency supports the effort to preserve our life sustaining climate. Texas Farm Service Agency encourages everyone do his or her part to reverse the problems of polution. The entrepreneurs who see opportunity in creating the new green economy, the designers of clean technology for the future, and the ordinary people who commit to living sustainably; are all helping preserve our environment. Together we can find solutions and demonstrate the collective power of individuals taking action across the world. In doing so, we strive to inspire others with our efforts to fight climate change and preserve our fagile ecosystems. For more information about the Earth Day initiative, visit: www.earthday.org.
Gives keynote address at Texas Lyceum Public Conference
AUSTIN
Gov. Rick Perry emphasized his commitment to finding long-term solutions to Texas’ growing infrastructure needs, specifically strengthening the state’s transportation infrastructure to meet the demands of our rapidly growing economy and population. The governor delivered the keynote address at the Texas Lyceum Association’s 47th Public Conference. “We have arrived at a moment of great possibility in our state’s history – our booming economy has grown demand on our infrastructure, but has also left us with a solid financial foundation upon which to build sound infrastructure for the next half-century,” Gov. Perry said. “Now is the time to do the fiscally responsible thing and make our state more accessible and productive for generations to come. Strengthening our infrastructure will improve the flow of goods throughout our state, reduce wear and tear on vehicles, and improve our quality of life in a way that can’t be measured in dollars and cents.” In his State of the State address, Gov. Perry outlined several proposals for funding future infrastructure projects, including using the Rainy Day Fund for a one-time capitalization of water and transportation projects around the state. The governor also called for ending diversions from the State Highway Fund, which would make billions more available for road maintenance and construction. Gov. Perry noted that Texas’ principled fiscal discipline has kept spending in check and our debt low, allowing the state to take advantage of historically low interest rates to capitalize a revolving infrastructure fund using long-term bonds. These bonds would enable the state to lock in today’s low interest rates to begin infrastructure projects now, keeping the cost of construction low when rates inevitably increase in the future. Additionally, Gov. Perry has proposed dedicating future growth in the motor vehicle sales tax, which the state already collects on every vehicle bought in Texas, to transportation infrastructure.