SAN ANTONIO — Speeding is not only dangerous and can be costly if you get a ticket, but it can also be detrimental to your health, and can take your life in an instant.
That's why TxDOT just launched its "Be Safe. Drive Smart" speeding prevention campaign. TxDOT is also teaming up with law enforcement agencies across the state during Operation Slowdown.
"She was attempting to turn and another car was going in excessive speed and crashed into her," said Lanisa Dehn, who lost her mother June, in May of 2020. She says the crash that took her life happened when she was driving back home from lunch.
"Truthfully, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of my mother and miss her with all of my heart," Dehn said.
Michael Tehran, a TxDOT spokesperson said, "Remember that driving a safe speed isn't just about following the posted speed limit. Match your speed to road conditions and slow down when driving through rain, fog or driving in a work zone."
TxDOT says speeding was the number one contributing factor in more than 160,000 crashes in Texas last year. Over 1,400 people were killed in those accidents, which is 1/3 of all traffic deaths in the state.
In 2023 in San Antonio, there were over 11,000 speeding-related crashes resulting in 103 deaths.
"It increases the risk that a crash will result in severe injuries or death. It increases the risk that a crash could severely hurt or kill a pedestrian or bicyclist," said Tehran.
"Please don't make that choice. Slow down and drive the speed limit," said Dehn.
Both speeding campaigns will be running through the beginning of August.