HARLINGEN — A 15-percent rise in pedestrian traffic fatalities in 2021 has led TxDOT to initiate a “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign as days grow shorter and walkers become harder to see.
The campaign is part of National Pedestrian Safety Month, seeking to remind drivers and pedestrians to stay alert and watch out for each other.
Texas experienced 5,366 traffic crashes involving pedestrians last year, resulting in 841 fatalities and 1,470 serious injuries.
“The fall season means not only a shift to cooler temperatures but also fewer hours of daylight, and visibility becomes an issue,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “It’s important for motorists to pay attention and look out for people walking and for pedestrians to make sure they take steps to be seen.”
TxDOT’s pedestrian safety campaign includes TV and radio spots, billboards and digital advertising.
TxDOT will also be hitting the streets and bringing its walking billboards — street teams wearing sandwich boards — to the 10 districts that saw the highest numbers of fatalities from pedestrian-related traffic crashes.
The Rio Grande Valley ranks high in the number of pedestrian-auto deaths.
To address the high number of pedestrian-related crashes and fatalities in these areas, TxDOT is deploying more than 30 street teams to display pedestrian safety messages in places where vehicles and pedestrians share the road.
