How to Avoid Car Accidents in Fort Worth
Short answer: From 2021 to 2025 there were 372,637 crashes and 2,310 deaths within 15 miles of Fort Worth. About 1 in 4 were rear-end crashes, and the worst hours were 3 to 6 p.m. Most can be prevented with more following distance, no phone, and slower speeds on the interstates.
Which local roads have the most crashes?
These roads near Fort Worth had the most reported crashes from 2021 to 2025. See the full rankings on the dangerous roads page.
| Road | Crashes, 2021–2025 |
|---|---|
| I-35W | 12,458 |
| I-30 | 9,389 |
| Loop 820 (I-820) | 8,992 |
| SH 183 | 7,915 |
| I-20 | 7,654 |
Busiest crash intersections nearby:
- Business 287 and I-35W: 671 crashes
- I-20 and I-35W: 670 crashes
- I-30 and Loop 820: 646 crashes
- I-30 and SH 199: 605 crashes
What should you watch for on I-35W and I-30?
Expect sudden slowdowns where interstates meet, and pick your lane early. The I-35W interchanges with Business 287 and I-20 each had about 670 crashes in five years. Lanes merge and split quickly there, so drivers cut across late. Decide on your exit a mile ahead and move over once.
On I-30 near downtown and at Loop 820, traffic often backs up from the exits into the through lanes. Keep a three-second gap so you can stop when the line ahead stops.
When are Fort Worth roads most dangerous?
Weekday afternoons from 3 to 6 p.m. had the most crashes, and Friday was the worst day. If you can, leave a little earlier or later. About 31% of local crashes happened after dark, and 8% in rain.
Dealing with tailgaters, road rage or drivers who cut you off? Read our guide to aggressive drivers and road rage.
How much following distance do you need?
Leave at least three seconds between you and the car ahead, and more in rain, at night or behind a truck. Pick a sign or overpass. When the car ahead passes it, count. If you reach it before "three," back off. Most rear-end crashes happen because there wasn't enough room to stop.
How do you avoid distracted driving?
Put the phone out of reach and set navigation and music before you move. NHTSA counted 3,275 people killed in distraction-affected crashes in 2023 (NHTSA). Texas bans reading, writing or sending electronic messages while driving. Eating, grooming and reaching for things in the back seat count as distractions too.
Why do speed, alcohol and fatigue matter so much?
- Speed: 11,775 people died in speeding-related crashes in 2023, 29% of all U.S. traffic deaths (NHTSA). "Too fast for conditions" counts, even under the limit.
- Alcohol and drugs: 12,429 people died in crashes with an alcohol-impaired driver in 2023, about one every 42 minutes (NHTSA). Plan a ride before you drink. Some prescription and cannabis products impair driving as well.
- Drowsiness: If you're yawning, drifting or missing exits, pull over somewhere safe. Coffee and an open window don't replace sleep.
How do you get through intersections and left turns safely?
Treat every unprotected left turn as a gap you must be sure of, not one you hope for. Keep your wheels straight while you wait, so a rear-end hit doesn't push you into oncoming traffic. Look left, right and left again on a fresh green, because red-light runners are common. Watch for people walking in the crosswalk when you turn right.
How should you drive on the highway and in rush hour?
- Match the speed of traffic on the ramp and merge into a gap. Don't stop on an entrance ramp unless traffic forces you to.
- Signal early, check your mirror and blind spot, and change one lane at a time.
- In stop-and-go traffic, look two or three cars ahead and brake early and smoothly so the driver behind you has time.
- Stay out of the left lane unless you're passing, and leave room in front so you have an escape path.
- In construction zones, slow to the posted limit, expect sudden lane shifts and stopped traffic, and never pass flaggers or workers fast. Texas fines double in work zones when workers are present.
How do you share the road with trucks, motorcycles and people walking?
- Trucks: if you can't see the driver in the truck's mirror, the driver can't see you. Don't linger beside a truck or cut in close in front of one; it needs far more room to stop.
- Motorcycles: look twice before turning left or changing lanes. A motorcycle is small and often closer and faster than it looks.
- Pedestrians and cyclists: slow down near schools, bus stops and parking lots, and give cyclists at least three feet when you pass.
How do you drive safely in bad weather?
- Rain: slow down, turn your headlights on and double your following distance. Roads are slickest in the first minutes of rain, when oil rises to the surface.
- Flooding: Turn Around, Don't Drown. The National Weather Service says just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and 2 feet can carry away SUVs and trucks (NWS). Never drive around a barricade.
- Ice: bridges and overpasses freeze first. Stay home if you can. If not, drive slowly, brake gently and leave lots of room.
- Fog and sun glare: use low beams in fog, keep your windshield clean inside and out, and keep sunglasses in the car for low sun at sunrise and sunset.
What helps at night?
Slow down enough that you can stop within the distance your headlights show. Keep headlights clean and aimed, dim your dashboard, and watch the right edge line instead of oncoming lights. Watch for people walking in dark clothing and for animals on rural roads around Tarrant County.
What should teen and older drivers know?
New drivers do best with practice, few passengers and no phone. Texas limits teen drivers with a provisional license on passengers and late-night driving during their first year. Older drivers can lower their risk with yearly vision checks, a medication review with their doctor, and planning trips outside rush hour and after dark.
Which car checks prevent crashes?
- Tire pressure and tread, at least monthly. Worn tires hydroplane sooner.
- Brakes, wipers and every light, including brake lights.
- Open safety recalls: check your VIN at NHTSA's recall site.
- Everyone buckled on every trip, children in the right car seat for their age and size.
What should you keep in your car?
- Phone charger and a printed list of emergency contacts
- Insurance card and registration
- Flashlight, reflective triangles or flares
- Water, a small first-aid kit and any medicine you need
- Jumper cables and a tire inflator or spare
- In winter: a blanket and an ice scraper
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common type of crash?
Rear-end crashes are among the most common. More following distance and less phone use prevent most of them.
What should I do if I come to a flooded road?
Turn around. Just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars. Never drive around a barricade.
What should I do if I am in a crash anyway?
Check for injuries, call 911, and follow the first-steps checklist for Fort Worth.
Before you drive, check current road closures. If you've already been in a crash, start with the first-steps checklist and read about getting treatment.
Hurt in a crash anyway?
Ask for a free case evaluation from a trusted local attorney, or a free evaluation from a trusted local accident injury provider. There's no cost to ask and no obligation.