State data show city among the busiest for traffic on I-35
A recent two-vehicle wreck on Interstate 35 near RM 1431 closed two southbound lanes. Round Rock police responded to the fender bender just after 7 a.m., reopening both lanes about an hour later.
The collision is not unusual on the stretch of I-35, which is considered one of the busiest — and most congested — highways in the nation. And data released by the Texas Department of Transportation show traffic and crashes on I-35 in Round Rock are showing no signs of decreasing.
In 2017, the portion of I-35 just south of RM 620 averaged 194,552 vehicles per day, making it the busiest stretch of highway in Round Rock, according to a traffic map released in late August by TxDOT. Last year, the busiest portion of I-35 in Round Rock was just north of Gattis School Road, which had on average 199,236 vehicles per day.
The traffic maps, which tally traffic throughout the state, show Round Rock is one of the busiest stretches of I-35 in the state. According to the 2017 traffic map, only the downtown areas in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio and the northwestern Dallas area surpass Round Rock in terms of average daily traffic on the interstate.
TxDOT data also show the number of crashes on I-35 in Round Rock increased from 791 in 2016 to 869 in 2017. As of Aug. 20, there have been 495 crashes this year along that same stretch of I-35.
Round Rock police Sgt. Justin Davis said annual crash data and community input have spurred new programs to make roads safer near and on Interstate 35.
The police department recently pinpointed “collision reduction zones” that are receiving additional resources. Areas such as University Boulevard between I-35 and Sunrise Road and the intersection where the frontage roads for I-35 and Texas 45 meet are receiving increased police patrols and have new signage reminding people to drive safely.
Another program aims to more quickly send tow-truck drivers to handle wrecks in the city. In early August, the Round Rock City Council approved a five-year contract with Auto Return, which has tow drivers notified of collisions through an app. Davis said that program will improve safety for both drivers and first responders.
The Auto Return program comes after Round Rock police lost an officer in an on-duty incident. Officer Charles Whites was hit by a vehicle while directing traffic after a wreck early Feb. 25 on I-35 and later died from his injuries.
While those programs aim to ease traffic incidents on I-35 and throughout the city, Davis said drivers can practice good habits that will reduce their chances of getting in a wreck. One of those habits is to not get distracted by a cellphone or anything else that puts focus away from driving.
“Driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do,” he said. “If you’re not focused on the task at hand, it can be tragic not only for you but for someone else as well.”