November 7, 2000, was the last day without a traffic death in Texas.
SAN ANTONIO — Nearly a dozen people have lost their lives on Texas roads every day for the past 25 years. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is continuing its push to end that tragic streak.
November 7, 2000, was the last day without a traffic death in Texas. Since then, TxDOT reports more than 91,000 lives have been lost in crashes statewide. Among them is Whitney Weddel, who was killed earlier this year.
Her mother, Monique Presas, says the pain never goes away.
“She was so amazing. She was so loving to me as a daughter,” Presas said. “I’ve changed a lot. I grieve her every day. It’s just a lot of pain.”
Whitney died in February 2024 when a wrong-way driver—suspected of being intoxicated—crashed head-on into her car around 5 a.m. The case heads to trial in January 2026, according to court records.
Now, Presas is sharing her story in hopes of saving others.
“I think safer road conditions and getting the word out, like we are doing today, could one day make things safer,” she said.
TxDOT says drunk driving and speeding remain the top two causes of deadly crashes. The agency continues its “End the Streak” campaign, urging Texans to make safer choices behind the wheel.
Beyond awareness, TxDOT is investing in safety infrastructure.
“Over the next 10 years, we’re investing $17 billion in safety improvements throughout Texas,” said Jennifer Serold with TxDOT.
While daily fatalities have declined compared to three years ago, TxDOT says it won’t stop working until the number drops to zero.