The Texas Department of Transportation is urging drivers and pedestrians to look out for each other with their “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” outreach campaign this summer.
On Sunday, TxDOT had street team members wearing sandwich boards in high-traffic areas as highly visible “walking billboards” to remind drivers and pedestrians the importance of following the rules of the road.
The walking billboards will be outside the McAllen Public Library on 23rd Street through Monday evening.
In 2021, 5,366 traffic crashes involving pedestrians occurred in Texas resulting in 1,470 serious injuries and 841 people being killed, which is a 15% increase in pedestrian fatalities over the previous year.
“Only 1% of traffic crashes in Texas involve pedestrians, yet pedestrians account for 19% of all roadway deaths,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams in a press release. “That’s because pedestrians lack the protective equipment — airbags, seat belts and bumpers — common to vehicles. To keep our most vulnerable road users safe, we urge motorists to always be on the lookout for people walking. Pedestrians also have the responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and follow the rules of the road.”
According to TxDOT Pharr District, there have been 198 traffic crashes involving pedestrians which resulted in 32 fatalities and 50 serious injuries last year.
In addition to the “walking billboards,” the campaign includes billboard, TV, radio and digital advertising as well as safety messages in the state’s major metro areas with high volume pedestrian traffic where it’s easy for drivers and people on foot to see them.
According to crash reports from law enforcement, leading factors of pedestrian-related crashes include pedestrians failing to yield the right of way to vehicles, driver inattention, motorists failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians, failure to control speed and drivers and pedestrians being under the influence of alcohol.
TxDOT offers multiple safety reminders to prevent a deadly encounter:
For drivers: stop for pedestrian crosswalks, yield the right of way to pedestrians when turning, be cautious when passing stopped buses or other vehicles, pay attention and put away your phone and follow the posted speed limit.
For pedestrians: only cross the street at intersections and crosswalks, look both ways before crossing, make eye contact with drivers, follow all traffic and crosswalk signals, use sidewalks and if there isn’t one, walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic, put away electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road and wear reflective material or use a flashlight at night.
