In data compiled by the Texas Department of Transportation, Kerr County had at least 17 people killed in 13 crashes last year — the most since 2013.
Of those 13 crashes, four involved the driver suspected of using drugs or alcohol. Three involved excessive speed and two others were with distracted drivers.
Emergency workers responded to 967 crashes — the third most since 2012. Of those crashes, 44 involved serious injuries, the lowest number since TxDOT began its database in 2012.
Suspected drunk driving played a large role in the response — with 68 crashes. However, more than one-third of all Kerr County crashes occurred at intersections.
Crashes involving pickup trucks, four-door passenger cars and sport utility vehicles accounted for 80% of the incidents.
Some of the other takeaways?
- We still have a problem with seatbelts. Nine of the 13 fatal crashes in 2021 involved those not wearing a seatbelt, including two by ejection. In 2021, 197 crashes involved not wearing a seatbelt. Of the 44 crashes that produced severe injuries, 29 involved those not wearing seatbelts.
- Motorcyclists not wearing helmets were in 15 crashes, eight of which led to severe injuries.
- From the data, the safest drivers remain those over the age of 70 — at least when it comes to accidents. The largest age group to be involved in a crash are 18-year-old drivers.
- That's right, 18-year-old drivers were in 60 crashes in 2021. We like to blame distraction for these crashes, but that produced just 10 crashes in the demographic.
- Drivers under the age of 21 accounted for about 25% of all Kerr County crashes in 2021. However, things are not any better for those in other age demographics — it's pretty consistent that the more you drive, the greater your chances are of being in a crash.
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