WICHITA FALLS ( KFDX/KJTL ) — The last day Texas motorists experienced no fatalities on Texas roads was November 7, 2000, 24 years ago.

In an effort to end the streak and prevent more wrecks from happening, TxDOT has partnered with the Department of Public Safety to kick off the End the Streak campaign.

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TxDOT's Public Information Officer, Adele Lewis, said that in 2022 alone, there were 64 fatal accidents in Wichita Falls, and that number jumped to 74 in 2023.

Thirty-three percent involved drugs or alcohol, and 45 percent of those were due to drivers or passengers wearing no seatbelt, no child safety seat, or not wearing a helmet. Lewis said all it takes is being as aware as possible while out on the road.

"It's going to take all of us. It's a collective effort," Lewis said, listing ways drivers can be safer on the road. "You need to slow down, stay in your lane, and carefully make your lane changes."

But the most important thing to keep you and your loved ones safe while driving: buckling up.

"The one thing you can do is buckle up, make sure your kids are in safety seats or booster seats, and if you're on a motorcycle, wear a helmet," Lewis said.

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