VICTORIA, Texas — Safety advocates are calling it an alarming trend across Texas as pedestrian fatalities increased around 30% from 2018 to 2022.
“I was on a morning run in Victoria with my dog Riley when a 2008 ford mustang failed to yield and hit us in the crosswalk of a busy hike and bike trail,” said Katie Parker, who was nearly killed when she was hit by a driver in a hurry.
She’s sharing her story alongside TxDOT in hopes of saving lives.
“My dog Riley did lose her life to save me,” Katie added. “I don't think I would be here without her. When the car hit us, everyone that was there said that she jumped and took the impact instead of me taking the impact.”
Unfortunately, stories like Katie's have become all too familiar across Texas.
“I spent 29 days in a hospital and two weeks in a rehabilitation center learning to do everything again I had to undergo multiple surgeries including back surgery, hip replacement, rotator cuff shoulder surgery,” she added. “I did physical therapy for several years."
According to TxDOT, in 2022, more than 900 people died in traffic crashes involving pedestrians and bikes.
Those incidents account for one out of every five fatalities on our state's roadways.
It's why TxDOT has made it their business to remind all of us of what the law says regarding pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles.
State laws mandate drivers stop 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.
Like drivers, bicyclists are required to obey all traffic signs and signals, including stopping at red lights and stop signs. State laws also say that those who ride bikes must use hand signals when turning or stopping, ride with traffic, use those bike lanes or ride as close as possible to the right-hand curb.
As for pedestrians, you must cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks, obey all traffic and crosswalk signals and always use sidewalks. If there isn't a sidewalk, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the street or road, facing oncoming traffic.
NOTE: The following video was uploaded in September 2023.