As Texans gear up to relish the fall climate, the dwindling daylight hours cast a growing concern for pedestrian safety. A grim reminiscence provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) highlights this risk. Last fall, Air Force Major Brenna Cole-Pickrel, 31, donned her running shoes for a routine jog with her dog but tragically never returned, struck fatally in a San Antonio crosswalk on Oct. 2, 2024. In a statement released by TxDOT, her mother, Linda Cole, honored her daughter, "Brenna had a brilliant mind, a warm heart and an unwavering commitment to helping others." She stressed that such a fate "could have been prevented."
According to TxDOT's campaign, Cole-Pickrel represents one among the alarming 773 pedestrian fatalities in Texas last year. With October marking the deadliest month for pedestrians, with 89 reported fatalities and 143 serious injuries in 2024, TxDOT is fervently appealing that Texans remember their shared obligation to safeguard one another on the road. "This time of year, Texans may be more inclined to get outside to enjoy the cooler weather, but fewer daylight hours can create darker, riskier conditions," TxDOT's Executive Director Marc Williams underscored the seasonal danger.
Driving like a Texan—a mantra punctuated by the qualities of kindness, courtesy, and safety—is TxDOT's rallying call for motorists statewide. To cement this mindset, an array of safety messages will be disseminated via TV, radio, billboards, and the deployment of street teams wielding walking billboards in high pedestrian-traffic areas.
To combat the uptick in avoidable tragedies, TxDOT dispenses clear directives tailored for drivers and pedestrians alike. Their guidelines instruct drivers to maintain vigilance, respect crosswalks, yield to pedestrians, and abstain from distractions like phones. They also caution drivers about the risks of larger vehicles, which possess significant blind spots and may obscure pedestrians. Pedestrians, on the other hand, are urged to cross at marked intersections, signal their intentions clearly to drivers, and enhance their visibility in low-light conditions.
Emphasizing the collective responsibility of road safety, this "Be Safe. Drive Smart." initiative is but one part of a broader "Drive like a Texan" ethos that TxDOT advocates. A sense of pride and community is what TxDOT aims to infuse into the state's roadway culture, hoping that through mutual respect and smart choices, fellow Texans can traverse the state's roads with greater assurance for each other's safety.
