The Most Dangerous Areas for Drivers in Beaumont  

Beaumont, Texas, is a major city in Jefferson County with a population of approximately 115,000 people. It acts as a key point along the I-10 highway. It has a great deal of industrial activity, and employees traveling from the busy refineries to commercial and industrial areas. Beaumont has grown over the years and serves as a significant economic provider for this region, leading to heavy congestion and increased risk of accidents. Car accidents threaten public safety in the area for its citizens and visitors alike. To understand how to improve road safety and collect data about vehicle crashes, it is essential to know the causes and locations of crashes.  


This report draws on data from the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (TxDOT CRIS), which provides detailed crash reports, including geocoded data within 200 feet of intersections for precision. Additional insights come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (NHTSA FARS)  for fatal crash data, supplemented by local sources like the Beaumont Enterprise and TxDOT’s 2023 Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics. Given that 2024 and 2025 data are preliminary, we will rely on 2020-2023 data to guarantee accuracy and reliability. The dataset provides an enormous scope of data, and from there, we identified Beaumont's most dangerous intersections, roads with crashes, and contributing factors to crashes. This is tied to whether there was specific information for each driver, but is nonetheless useful for drivers, policy-makers, and roadway safety advocates focused on addressing and limiting incidents of crashes in Beaumont. 


Key Takeaways from Crash Data 

  • Most Dangerous Intersection: I-10 & Major Dr, with 92 crashes, driven by heavy traffic, truck activity, and freeway ramp congestion. 
  • Fatality Hotspots: I-10 & Major Dr (4 fatal crashes) and I-10 & US 69/96/287 (3 fatal crashes), often involving high speeds or pedestrian incidents. 
  • Peak Crash Times: Morning (7–9 AM) and evening rush hours (4–7 PM), with weekend nights (6 PM–midnight) linked to DUI-related crashes (19% of fatal crashes). 
  • Leading Causes: Speeding (30% of crashes), failure to yield right-of-way (25%), and distracted driving (15%). 
  • Crash Statistics: Beaumont has about 2,000–2,500 crashes annually, including 3,672 crashes in Jefferson County in 2023. This included 72 fatalities and 5,885 serious injuries statewide.  


Most Dangerous Intersections in Beaumont 

Beaumont’s high-traffic intersections, particularly those near I-10 and commercial or industrial zones, are prone to crashes due to complex signal patterns, frequent merging, and heavy truck traffic. Using TxDOT CRIS and insights from the Beaumont Enterprise, the following intersections are identified as the most crash-prone based on total crash frequency (injury and fatal crashes) from 2020 to 2023. 

  • I-10 & Major Dr leads due to its proximity to I-10’s high traffic volume and industrial areas, with frequent rear-end and side-impact collisions. 
  • I-10 & US 69/96/287 sees crashes due to complex merging and heavy truck traffic from nearby refineries. 
  • Primary causes include speeding (30%), failure to yield (25%), and distracted driving (15%). 



Beaumont’s Most Crash-Prone Roads and Corridors 

Beaumont’s major roads, especially those connected to I-10 or serving industrial and commercial areas, experience high crash rates. Using TxDOT CRIS and 2023 Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics, the following roads are identified as the most crash-prone based on total crash counts (including property damage, injuries, and fatalities) from 2020 to 2023. 

  • I-10 dominates as a central interstate corridor, with 1,500 crashes linked to high speeds, truck traffic, and frequent construction zones. 
  • US 69/96/287 (Eastex Fwy) and College St see crashes near commercial and industrial areas, with rear-end collisions common during rush hours (7–9 AM, 4–7 PM). 
  • Distracted driving (15%) and speeding (30%) are significant contributors, with 1,587 distracted driver crashes statewide in 2023. 



Areas with the Most Fatal Crashes in Beaumont 

Fatal crashes in Beaumont often occur on high-speed corridors or at intersections with pedestrian or cyclist exposure. Using NHTSA FARS and TxDOT CRIS data, the following locations recorded the highest number of fatal crashes from 2020 to 2023. 

  • I-10 & Major Dr led with four fatalities, often due to high-speed collisions and truck-related incidents near industrial zones. 
  • I-10 & US 69/96/287 fatalities are linked to complex merging and heavy traffic, with 290 deaths on I-10 statewide over five years. 
  • Jefferson County had 72 fatal crashes in 2023. The common contributing factors of fatal crashes are DUI (19% of the deadly crashes) and speeding (30% of the fatal crashes).  


Areas Where the Most Serious Injury Crashes Occur in Beaumont  

Serious injury crashes (non-fatal) often involve pedestrians, cyclists, or high-speed collisions. The following locations, identified using TxDOT CRIS data, had the highest number of serious injury crashes from 2020 to 2023. 

  • I-10 & Major Dr leads with 48 serious injury crashes, driven by high traffic volumes and pedestrian activity near commercial zones. 
  • Dowlen Rd & Folsom Dr sees injuries due to retail traffic and complex intersections. 
  • Severe injuries are often linked to failure to yield (25%) and distracted driving (15%), with 5,885 serious injury crashes statewide in 2023. 


Reasons for Crashes in Beaumont 

Crashes in Beaumont happen due to a combination of human mistakes, congested traffic patterns, and the complicated roadways that develop from industrial and commercial activity. Using TxDOT CRIS data, the first contributing factor is found to be:  


Speeding: Involved in 30% of crashes, particularly on I-10 and US 69/96/287, where high speeds reduce reaction time during congestion or construction. 

Failure to Yield Right-of-Way: Accounts for 25% of crashes, often at busy intersections like I-10 & Major Dr, leading to side-impact or T-bone collisions. 

Distracted Driving: Responsible for 15% of crashes, with drivers distracted by phones, navigation apps, or activity in commercial zones. 

DUI: A factor involved in 19% of fatal crashes, and most notably on weekend nights (6 PM–midnight), with 1,012 DUI-alcohol fatalities throughout the state in 2023.  


The Beaumont Police Department has implemented DWI enforcement initiatives, including sobriety checkpoints, to address impaired driving, particularly during peak industrial and commercial activity periods.


How to Stay Safe on the Road 

Obey Speed Limits: Speeding is a top cause of crashes. Adhere to posted limits, especially on I-10 and in commercial zones. 

Avoid Distractions: Keep your focus on the road. Avoid texting, adjusting apps, or other distractions, particularly in high-traffic areas. 

Plan for Congestion: Allow extra travel time during rush hours (7–9 AM, 4–7 PM) and industrial peak times to avoid aggressive driving. 

Never Drive Impaired: Avoid driving after consuming alcohol or substances. Use rideshare services or designate a sober driver. 


We Can Help When Beaumont's Roads Become Dangerous 

Beaumont’s busy roads, driven by industrial activity and heavy traffic, can become hazardous, leading to severe accidents that change lives in an instant. If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a serious accident in Beaumont, you do not have to face this alone. Reach out and get compassionate support and expert guidance so that you can take the following steps towards healing, recovery, and justice. 

REQUEST A CONSULTATION REQUEST A CONSULTATION