Even though less people were on the road driving last year, Texas still saw an increase in pedestrian and bicyclist deaths.

According to TxDOT, the “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign is aiming to bring awareness to the public so that we can all share the road safely. Please be alert and aware of your surroundings whether you're a driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist.

Pedestrian and bicyclist deaths account for one in five of all traffic fatalities in the state.

State laws mandate stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks, yielding the right of way to pedestrians and bicyclists when turning, and passing bicyclists at a safe distance and giving them room to ride.

“More than 800 people lost their lives last year while walking and biking on Texas roads. Even one death is too many,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Whether you’re behind the wheel, on foot or riding a bicycle, we’re reminding all Texans that they need to be safe and smart, and that starts with paying attention to driving and obeying traffic laws.”

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Last year, 731 people died in pedestrian-related crashes, an increase of 9% from 2019. Crashes involving bicyclists claimed the lives of 82 people, up from 68 deaths the previous year. These numbers reflect an alarming trend of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities increasing over the last five years.

Despite improvements in bicycle lanes and crosswalks, these numbers are on the rise. One could assume that the problem seems to exists with distracted driving. Again, I urge everyone to be aware of what is around you while driving. Let's protect one another and stay alert.

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