Route Summary
Starting on the south side of Lufkin, this route forms a loop that passes through the Davy Crockett National Forest twice before taking you back to Lufkin on the Northwest side of town. The 156-mile route has plenty of twists and turns, but the highlight is the Forest, which takes you over rivers and streams and through beautiful piney woods.
This route had fatal and incapacitating crashes between 2010 – 2022. In Texas, drivers are not assigned “at fault” in a crash, but law enforcement can assign ‘factors or conditions’ that contributed or may have contributed to a crash. Multiple ‘crash factors and conditions’ can be assigned to one, some, or all vehicles involved in a crash.
The following tables represent data extracted from the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (TxDOT’s CRIS).
| Safety (2010-2022) | |
|---|---|
| Crashes | |
| Fatalities | |
| Serious Injuries | |
| Top Weather Crash Condition | |
| Top Lighting Crash Condition | |
| Top Road Crash Condition | |
Crash Narrative Summary
The following list is a summary of the crash events and conditions that have been described by officers investigating crashes along this route. The investigating officer provides his/her opinion of how the crash happened and will emphasize or explain, as necessary, any pertinent facts that are not fully explained elsewhere on the crash report. This section is meant to supplement the above data tables by providing further insight and “clues” into what factors and conditions contributed or may have contributed to crashes along this route.
- 25% of motorcyclists did not have a motorcycle license. Sharpen up on your skills by taking an advanced course. Fate will not tap you on the shoulder and give advanced notice when these skills will be needed.
- 38% of crashes occurred along a curve. Control your speed in a curve. Get to the speed you want to maintain before entering the curve.
- 63% of crashes were multi-vehicle crashes. The most common contributing factor of multi-vehicle crashes was failure to yield right of way to a motorcycle -- either at a stop sign or turning left. Visibility is one key to success in urban riding. Make yourself visible by wearing Hi-Viz gear, installing brighter after-market lights, and using in-lane weaving skills to catch the attention of motorists.
- 71% of motorcyclists were not wearing a helmet. Wearing gear is a great way to prevent permanent and painful injuries from a crash.
- Think it's too hot for gear? Look into purchasing a mesh jacket and mesh pants. The air flow will keep you cool and the jacket will keep the harsh Texas summer sun off your skin.
- Learning exactly how to engage in the brakes on your motorcycle is an important skill. A rider needs to be able to apply the brakes hard in a panic stop, but not so hard that it locks up the wheels.
- Texas requires a minimum amount of liability insurance for motorcycle riders. Shop around for the best insurance policy for you and your bike. Consider additional coverage for comprehensive coverage, collision, uninsured driver, hit & run, and more.