It's a grim reality on Texas streets for those traveling by foot or bike. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 2023 saw 914 pedestrian and bicyclist deaths from traffic crashes—a stark rise from previous years. These are not mere statistics; they highlight a persisting danger, one that cost the life of 10-year-old Victor Peterzen in 2020, merely three months after receiving a new bicycle for his birthday.
As we approach five years since Peterzen's untimely death, his family joins forces with TxDOT's "Be Safe. Drive Smart." campaign. With spring upon us, the campaign is a pedal-to-the-metal effort to remind Texans of a simple, yet critical duty: follow traffic laws and share the road. "Pedestrians and cyclists are among our most at-risk road users, and too many of them are killed or injured in our communities each year," stated TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams, in a reminder of the stakes at hand.
"Be Safe. Drive Smart." is sweeping across Texas, deploying teams of “walking billboards” to high-risk areas, disseminating safety tips crucial for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The purpose? To foster mutual respect between all parties and a heightened awareness of one another's presence on the road. Conversations about road etiquette are hoped to translate into lives saved, as the campaign forms part of the broader "Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe." initiative.
Practical advice is the cornerstone of TxDOT's drive toward safety. For drivers, the mandate is clear: yield to those on foot or two wheels, especially at crosswalks, and keep a close eye out when turning. Pedestrians are urged to follow signals, utilize crosswalks, and remain visible to traffic, while cyclists are reminded to obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicles, signaling their intentions to drivers alongside whom they share the road.
There's a collective responsibility that underpins the ethos of "Be Safe. Drive Smart."—a call to embody the Texas spirit in a way that ensures safety for all. With education and active engagement, TxDOT hopes to stem the tide of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. After all, as Williams asserted, "If everyone looks out for each other and follows the rules of the road, we can help prevent these terrible crashes." It's a shared road, Texas, and a shared life were all trying to save.
