A personal tragedy turned advocate, Katie Parker teams up with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to tackle the increasing threat to pedestrians and cyclists on Texas roads. Severely injured in a 2016 incident that killed her dog Riley, Parker's life changed irreversibly. "The crash changed my life," Parker tells of her harrowing experience, according to a TxDOT interview. With her story, Parker adds a human dimension to the campaign "Be Safe. Drive Smart."—an initiative focused on reducing the growing number of traffic-related fatalities among non-motorized road users.

In a sobering statistic, pedestrian and cyclist deaths continue to paint a dark picture for Texas roadways. In the past five years, a sharp uptick was recorded with pedestrian fatalities ratcheting up by 30% and bicyclist fatalities by 28%. Specifically, in 2022, these accidents claimed the lives of 922 people, accounting for a staggering one in five roadway deaths statewide as detailed on the TxDOT website. Marc Williams, TxDOT’s Executive Director underscored the campaign's urgency. "Too many people are killed or seriously injured every year in Texas walking, jogging or biking in their communities," he stated, emphasizing the collective responsibility to prevent these tragedies.

As part of "Be Safe. Drive Smart.", TxDOT is not only advocating for greater awareness but is actively deploying teams across cities with walking billboards highlighting key safety reminders in high-incidence areas. The state law lays out a simple, yet critical set of rules for drivers such as stopping and yielding for pedestrians and cyclists, yielding the right of way when turning, maintaining a safe passing distance from bikes, and adhering to speed limits.

Equally important are the guidelines for pedestrians and bicyclists which include always using intersections and crosswalks to cross, following traffic signals, utilizing sidewalks or walking against traffic when no sidewalks are available, and for bicyclists, obeying traffic signals, using designated lanes, signaling turns, and installing proper lighting for night rides. By amplifying these rules, Parker and TxDOT hope to make a difference.

The urgency of the campaign is further strengthened by TxDOT's broader #EndTheStreakTX movement, which seeks to make Nov. 7, 2000, known as the last day without a traffic fatality, a relic of the past rather than a recurring grim anniversary. The initiative's spread through social media and community engagement underscores TxDOT's commitment to road safety. More information and media inquiries are directed to the TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or by phone at (512) 463-8700.