treacherous trek

Popular road-trip route from Dallas declared 2nd most dangerous U.S. highway

The stretch of this highway from Dallas to Galveston is especially dangerous.

Photo by Getty Images

Travelers on Interstate 45 from Dallas to Galveston face one of the deadliest drives in the nation, a new study reveals.

For its survey, fleet tracking company Teletrac Navman examined data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) from 2016 through 2019. The report revealed staggering numbers for fatalities and incidents, as CultureMap news partner ABC13 notes:

During that time period, the company said that stretch of I-45 experienced .913 death(s) per mile
The most dangerous month to be on the interstate was October
The most dangerous day of the month was the 2nd
Saturday was listed as the most dangerous day of the week
The most dangerous hour of the day was between 2 am and 3 am

Elsewhere in Dallas-Fort Worth, the Teletrac report found that those who trek on I-30 from Aledo through Dallas on the way to North Little Rock, Arkansas saw .646 death(s) per mile, with the most dangerous time to drive 5 am to 5:59 pm. Interestingly, the Aledo-to-North Little Rock finding is new for the current list.

The report also revealed that drivers traveling on I-35 West from Hillsboro through Fort Worth on the way to Denton saw .528 deaths per mile, with 2 am to 2:59 am being the most dangerous time to drive.

Further down the list, the study reveals hazards from Dallas drivers on Highway 175 en route to Jacksonville, Texas. That stretch saw .447 deaths per mile and the most dangerous travel time from midnight to 12:59 am.

Teletrac Navman’s report also notes several Texas highways that have fallen off the list, meaning safer passage. Those paths include I-37, Highway 290, and Highway 59.

This isn’t the first time I-45 has made national headlines for its imminent danger to drives. In 2020, Popular Mechanics called the highway the most dangerous in America.

Speaking of the most dangerous highway, this year’s most treacherous roadway is I-4 in Florida, per the Teletrac Navman.

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In from the cold

Warming centers open across Dallas-Fort Worth during weekend winter storm

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

Warming centers will provide blankets and meals to those in need.

As Dallas-Fort Worth braces for brutally cold temperatures, freezing precipitation, and possible power outages this weekend, local city buildings and nonprofits are opening their doors as warming shelters. Here is a running list of places where people can go to safely warm up and rest. The list will be updated as more are announced.

Austin Street Center, in partnership with the City of Dallas and OurCalling, is activating an Inclement Weather Shelter at Fair Park’s Automobile Building, at 1010 1st Ave., Dallas, beginning at 4 pm Friday, January 23. It can accommodate 1,200 individuals and will offer shuttle service, meals, restroom facilities, blankets, and a safe, heated space for those experiencing homelessness. (Note: Austin Street's shelter location at 2929 Hickory St. will not be in operation this weekend.)

Dallas Public Libraries and Recreation Centers are open during regular hours as warming and charging stations.

The Office of Homeless Solutions provides help for unsheltered individuals in Dallas.

The Salvation Army has several warming stations available across Dallas, Tarrant, and Denton Counties. They'll provide shelter and warmth, food and drink, emotional and spiritual care, and additional supplies to anyone in need. Locations are:

In Dallas County, the Garland Corps Community Center (451 W. Avenue D, Garland) and Carr P. Collins Social Service Center (5302 Harry Hines Blvd.)
In Tarrant County, the Arlington Corps Community Center (712 W. Abram St., Arlington) and J.E. & L.E. Mabee Social Service Center (1855 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth)
In Denton County, the Denton Corps Community Center (1508 E. McKinney St., Denton) and Lewisville Corps Community Center (880 Fox Ave., Lewisville)

The City of Arlington has additional overnight shelters available:

First United Methodist Church, 407 N. Mesquite St. Open on dates when overnight temperatures reach 32 degrees or less for four or more consecutive hours.
Nations Church Arlington, 1013 W. Park Row Drive. Open continuously from noon Friday-Monday as both a warming center and an overnight shelter.
All Arlington Public Library locations and recreation centers are open to the public for warming, in designated areas, during standard operating hours.
The Arlington Animal Services Shelter accepts pets of homeless individuals as capacity allows.

The City of Fort Worth manages an emergency overnight overflow sheltering program when temperatures reach certain thresholds and regular emergency shelters are at capacity. If regular emergency shelters and beds are full when people arrive, they will be relocated to available overflow beds at one of the available additional emergency shelter locations, the city says.

They advise that individuals experiencing homelessness should first access one of the regular emergency shelters:

Union Gospel Mission (1321 E. Lancaster Ave.)
Presbyterian Night Shelter (2400 Cypress St.)
Families should go to the Salvation Army's J.E. & L.E. Mabee Social Service Center (1855 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth)

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