TxDOT launches campaign centering on pedestrian and cyclist safety

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - With pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities accounting for 1 in 5 of all traffic deaths, TxDOT is launching a new “Be Safe. Drive Smart” campaign centered around pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Cyclist Bryan Kight is at the center of this campaign after being hit in Austin in 2024 by a driver who failed to yield as she turned left. Kight was severely injured with multiple major reconstructive surgeries and several months of recuperation required before he could walk again.

In 2024 alone, 772 pedestrians and 80 bicyclists were killed on Texas roadways. This number is part of the 6,095 crashes total involving pedestrians and 2,761 crashes involving bicyclists.

To preserve road safety and prevent unnecessary tragedies, drivers are reminded by TxDOT to:

• Stop and yield for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users in crosswalks.
• Give bikes space and pass at a safe distance.
• Yield when turning and always look twice for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Follow the posted speed limit and adjust your speed to conditions.

If you’re walking:

• Cross the street only at crosswalks and intersections.
• Stick to sidewalks, but if none exists, walk facing traffic on the left side unless it is obstructed or unsafe.

If you’re biking:

• Stop at red lights and stop signs.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic and use bike lanes or ride as near as possible to the right-hand curb.
• Use hand signals for turns or stops.
• Equip your bike with lights at night, using a white light on the front and a red light or reflector on the back.

The campaign will be hosting interactive events featuring a virtual reality experience with specifically pedestrian and cyclist-focused traffic scenarios.

We continue to see an increase in the number of crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists each year,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “All of us share a responsibility to watch out for each other, but people on foot or riding a bike are most at risk for serious injury or worse in a crash with a car, which means drivers must be extra vigilant.