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Weekly Road Report

“TEEN CLICK IT OR TICKET” URGES BUCKLING UP TO SAVE A LIFE

Nearly a quarter of vehicle crashes in 2021 in Texas involved a teen driver

Too many parents are living their worst fear: losing a child. These parents have lost teenagers in vehicle crashes in which they weren’t wearing seat belts.

Vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for US teenagers, and TxDOT’s Teen Click It or Ticket campaign is urging teens to buckle up — every seat, every ride.

In 2021, there were 20 motor vehicle traffic crashes in the Atlanta District in which unrestrained teen occupants (ages 15-20) sustained severe or fatal injuries. These crashes resulted in 4 fatalities and 19 serious injuries.

Seat belts offer the best protection in a crash, but sadly seat belt use remains low among teen drivers and passengers. In 2021, 45% (144 of 318) of teens killed in vehicle crashes were not wearing seat belts.

“Teen drivers are less experienced and twice as likely as adult drivers to be involved in a fatal crash,” said Atlanta District Engineer Rebecca Wells. “In addition to slowing down and not driving distracted or impaired, we want our teens to know the importance of wearing a seat belt. Unfortunately, teenagers are the least likely of all age groups to use a seat belt, but it can save their life if they’re involved in a crash.” Wells added. “Seat belts keep you inside the vehicle and reduce your risk of dying in a crash by 45 percent in a car and up to 60 percent in a pickup truck.”

“We want to remind teens always to buckle their seat belts. Everyone must buckle up: every rider, every ride,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “It takes only a few seconds to put on your seat belt, and those few seconds can save a life.” 

During Feb. 1- 15, the Teen Click It or Ticket campaign will be rolling out statewide, seeking to reach Texas teens with its imperative seat belt safety message. The outreach will include TV, radio, digital advertising, and social media. Additionally, TxDOT will introduce an interactive element as the campaign visits several high school campuses across the state with its Teen Click It or Ticket mobile digital vehicle.

Teens will also learn about the Texas law, which requires drivers and all passengers to wear seat belts. Unbuckled drivers and passengers — even those in the back seat — can face fines and fees of up to $200.

TxDOT’s Teen Click It or Ticket campaign is a critical component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media, and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.

TxDOT Paris District

 Feb 5 – Feb 11

Delta, Lamar, and Red River Counties

Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.

SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to the Texas-Oklahoma state line, watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.

FM 906, Lamar County: from FM 2648 to CR 47400. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.

FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.

FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.

Loop 286, Lamar County: from FM 1497 around the North Loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures, perform bridge maintenance, and place bonded concrete surfacing.

Loop 286/US 271 South Interchange, Lamar County: from Dawn Drive going south to the North Loop 286, turn around. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, and traffic merges while crews improve guardrails and perform bridge maintenance.

FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.

FM 2675, Delta County: from Lamar County line to FM 128, watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.

BU 271 (North Main Street), Lamar County: from Santa Fe Street to one-quarter mile north of Stone Avenue, watch for temporary lane closures while crews install the sidewalk.

FM 411, FM 1159, FM 1699, FM 2283, US 82, and US 37, Red River County: Watch for temporary lane closures while crews remove debris from recent storm damage.

FM 1499, FM 906, FM 2820, FM 79, FM 1510, US 271 North, and FM 197, Lamar County: Watch for temporary lane closures while crews remove debris from recent storm damage.

US 82, Lamar County: at the FM 1502 intersection. Watch for temporary lane closures and traffic/lane shifts as crews widen the roadway to install a left-turn lane and improve drainage structures.

Hopkins, Franklin Counties

Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.

FM 1536, Hopkins County, from SH 19 to FM 71, watch for land closures and short delays as crews place pavement markings on the roadway.

TxDOT Atlanta District

 Feb 5 – Feb 11

Bowie County 

  • I-30 – From FM 989 to AR State Line, reconstructing and widening the highway, concrete paving in median
  • I-30 – From FM 989 to FM 3419, an extension of frontage roads. FM 2148 closed under the I-30 bridge.
  • I-30 – Westbound at Exit 207/Spur 594, ramp rehabilitation. Exit & entrance ramps are closed, with westbound traffic restricted to one lane.
  • I-30 – Eastbound from Spur 86 to Spur 594, drainage upgrades. Traffic is limited to one lane in some areas.
  • SH 8 – At Sulphur River, replacing bridges
  • SH 98 – At Anderson Creek, bridge replacement, with traffic restricted to one lane with signal lights controlling traffic through the work zone.

Camp County 

  • SL 255 – From FM 1520 to US 271, constructing a highway, County Road 2120 detoured

Cass County

  • SH 8 – At Sulphur River, replacing bridges
  • US 67 – Widening bridge at Jennings Slough, signal lights controlling one-way traffic.
  • US 59 – From 1.2 miles south of FM 2328N to 1.9 miles south of FM 2328S, resurfacing road, bridge rail improvements. Southbound lane closure

 Harrison County 

  • US 59 – At I-20, replacing the bridge shifting US 59 traffic to southbound lanes
  • I-20 – Concrete pavement repairs. Daytime lane closures 
  • I-20 – Bridge maintenance. Lane closures on the north frontage road at Mason Creek
  • I-20 – At Lansing Switch Road, constructing a new bridge over the interstate, with traffic open to Lansing Switch Road.
  • SH 43 – At Kansas City Southern Railroad in Karnack is widening the bridge over the railroad, with signal lights controlling one-way traffic.
  • FM 3001 – At Little Cypress Bayou Relief. Replacing bridge. Temporary traffic signals in place, lane closure with two-way traffic

Panola County 

  • US 59 (Loop) – From Business 59 north of Carthage to US 79 east, rehabilitating highway, with roadways open, seal coat scheduled.
  • US 59 – Install safety barrier cable from Harrison County line to US 79 north. Lane closures
  • SH 149 – 0.8 miles south of SH 315 to US 59. Widening road 

Titus County

  • US 271 – At Dickson Creek, Big Slough Creek, White Oak Creek & White Oak Creek Relief, replacing the bridge
  • US 271 – 1 mile south of SH 49 to 1 mile west of Business 271, installing safety barrier cable. Daily lane closures

  Upshur County 

  • US 271 – From 5.9 miles north of SH 155 to 1.5 miles north of SH 155, resurfacing the road. Lane, shoulder closures