The Most Dangerous Places to Drive in New Braunfels 

New Braunfels, Texas, a vibrant city in Comal and Guadalupe Counties and a town of around 90,000 residents, is known for its tourism-based economy and location along the heavily traveled I-35 corridor. As the city grew rapidly, driven by residents coming to visit attractions like the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers and attending events like Wurstfest, traffic congestion increased, as did exposure to car accidents. Car accidents are increasingly a public safety concern in New Braunfels, affecting many residents, commuters, and visitors to the city. We want to help educate the public about how and where accidents tend to happen, with the goal of increasing road safety and reducing crashes.


To provide an accurate picture of car accidents in New Braunfels, this report draws on data from the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (TxDOT CRIS), which compiles detailed crash reports across Texas, including geocoded locations, contributing factors, and outcomes. Furthermore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (NHTSA FARS) provides information on fatal crashes. Local sources, like Navbug and other media outlets such as KSAT, give context on trends for crashes, as well as road conditions that may be specific to New Braunfels. For this analysis, we only considered the available data from 2020 - 2023, given that the data from 2024 and 2025 are not finalized or verified. Thus, they were omitted because they could be construed as incorrect or unstable. By looking at this complete dataset, we were able to identify some of the most dangerous intersections, crash-prone streets in New Braunfels, and contributing factors. This information is a treasure to assist drivers, policymakers, and safety advocates working to protect the public, deter crashes, and promote public safety in the rapidly developing city.  


Key Takeaways from Crash Data 

  • Most Dangerous Intersection: I-35 & FM 725, with 85 crashes, driven by heavy traffic and freeway ramp congestion. 
  • Fatality Hotspots: I-35 & FM 725 and I-35 & Loop 337, each with three 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: New Braunfels has approximately 1,500-2,000 crashes annually, while Comal County had 2,509 crashes (including 68 deaths and 5,885 serious injuries) statewide in 2023.  


Most Dangerous Intersections in New Braunfels 

New Braunfels' rapid growth, tourism activity, and proximity to I-35 create hazardous driving conditions for the public, especially at busy intersections. These intersections often have complicated signal patterns, merging drivers, and traffic from commuters and tourists. The following intersections, identified using TxDOT CRIS and Navbug data, are the city’s most crash-prone based on total crash counts (injury and fatal crashes) from 2020 to 2023. 

The intersection at I-35 and FM 725 generates a high number of leads due to its proximity to I-35’s heavy traffic volume and surrounding commercial zones, where frequent rear-end and side-impact collisions occur. Similarly, I-35 and Loop 337 are a common crash site, often caused by merging issues and the heavy tourist traffic flowing into downtown New Braunfels. Across these intersections, the primary causes of accidents include speeding (30%), failure to yield (25%), and distracted driving (15%). 


New Braunfels’ Most Crash-Prone Roads and Corridors 

New Braunfels’ major roads, particularly those connected to I-35 or serving tourist and retail 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-35 remains the dominant interstate corridor in the area, with more than 1,200 crashes related to excessive speeds and high truck volumes. SH 46 and Loop 337 also experience many crashes, including the more frequent rear-end crashes that occur at the busiest retail and tourist areas during peak commute hours (7-9 AM or 4-7 PM). Among the leading factors, distracted driving and speeding stand out, with 1,587 distracted driver crashes reported statewide in 2023 alone.



Areas with the Most Fatal Crashes in New Braunfels 

Fatal crashes in New Braunfels 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. 

The intersections at I-35 & FM 725 and I-35 & Loop 337 each recorded three fatalities in 2023, often linked to high-speed collisions or pedestrian incidents near freeway ramps. Counties across Texas experienced 68 fatal crashes in Comal County, its section on I-35. This was consistently a factor in deadly incidents across its routes. Impairment crashes, specifically from DUIs, resulted in 19% of fatalities, with speeding being the most common factor at 30%. Statewide, impaired driving had far more impact with 1,012 DUI-alcohol fatalities in 2023. 


Areas with the Most Serious Injury Crashes in New Braunfels 

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. 

The intersection at I-35 & FM 725 leads with 45 serious injury crashes, primarily driven by high traffic volumes and increased pedestrian activity near surrounding commercial zones. SH 46 & FM 758 also reports a high number of injury collisions, often tied to its complex intersection design and congestion from tourist traffic. Overall, serious injury crashes in the region are frequently linked to failure to yield (25%) and distracted driving (15%), reflecting a broader statewide trend of 5,885 serious injury crashes reported in 2023. 


Reasons for Crashes in New Braunfels 

Crashes in New Braunfels stem from a combination of human error, high traffic volumes, and the city’s busy road network. According to data from the TxDOT Crash Record Information System (CRIS), the main contributing factors are: 


  • Speeding: Involved in 30% of crashes, particularly on I-35 and SH 46, where high speeds reduce reaction time during congestion or sudden stops. 
  • Failure to Yield Right-of-Way: Contributing to 25% of crashes, typically at a busy intersection like I-35 & FM 725, and primarily resulting in side-impact or T-bone collisions.
  • Distracted Driving: Responsible for 15% of crashes, with drivers distracted by phones, navigation apps, or tourist activity in areas like Loop 337. 
  • DUI: Contributing to 19% of fatal crashes, especially during the hours of 6 PM to midnight on weekends, the number of fatalities attributed to DUI-alcohol was 1,012, statewide, in 2023.

 

The New Braunfels Police Department has implemented DWI enforcement initiatives, similar to Austin’s “No Refusal” program, to address impaired driving, particularly during peak tourism seasons and weekends. 


How to Stay Safe on the Road 

  • Obey Speed Limits: Speeding is a top cause of crashes. Adhere to posted limits, especially on I-35 and in commercial zones. 
  • Avoid Distractions: Keep your focus on the road. Avoid texting, adjusting apps, or other distractions, particularly in tourist-heavy areas. 
  • Plan for Congestion: Allow extra travel time during rush hours (7–9 AM, 4–7 PM) and peak tourist seasons to avoid aggressive driving. 
  • Never Drive Impaired: Avoid driving after consuming alcohol or substances. Use rideshare services or designate a sober driver. 


When New Braunfels’ Roads Turn Dangerous, We’re Here to Help 

New Braunfels' busy roadways, fueled by tourist activity and fast growth, can turn dangerous in an instant. Whether the careless act of another driver or an unforeseen danger, serious accidents happen in the blink of an eye; lives change forever. If you or someone you love has suffered from a serious accident in New Braunfels, don't go it alone! Reach out for compassionate support and expert advice on how to take the following steps to recover and seek justice. 

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