Texas is currently facing a heartbreaking rise in pedestrian fatalities, and it’s hitting our community hard. More and more, we’re seeing how our city’s car-centered layout makes life difficult—and dangerous—for those on foot.
But streets that prioritize vehicles over people aren’t just inconvenient; they’re proving deadly. With every new incident, the call for safer, more pedestrian-friendly roads grows stronger, and it’s clear that Texas needs to rethink its approach to urban planning.
Understanding the Problem
Pedestrian accidents are becoming alarmingly common in Texas, which has now become one of the riskiest cities for those on foot. In fact, the Texas Department of Transportation has reported a rapid increase in pedestrian deaths across the entire state. Unfortunately, these aren’t just one-off issues. They are a direct result of our car-focused infrastructure that often leaves pedestrians vulnerable to getting injured.
What’s Driving This Surge of Pedestrian Deaths In Texas?
The combined issues below illustrate how urban city planning in Texas has historically overlooked pedestrian needs in favor of car-oriented solutions, leading to tragic yet preventable outcomes.
Improper Infrastructure
Many areas in Texas need more essential pedestrian-friendly amenities like continuous sidewalks and protected crosswalks. These are necessary for pedestrians to navigate high-speed roadways with safe pathways.
High-Speed Roads In Residential Neighborhoods
When major roads intersect residential neighborhoods, they create high-risk zones where pedestrians are vulnerable.
Poor Lighting
Areas with limited or poor street lighting create visibility issues, especially for pedestrians walking at night.
Too Many Distractions
The rise in cellphone use while driving (and walking) adds another layer of risk, as both drivers and pedestrians will need to be made aware of their surroundings.
How A Car-Centric Design Has Impacted the City
Not unlike many of North America’s major cities, Dallas was built with cars in mind, and this car-centric design is evident in the city’s vast, multi-lane roads, sparse sidewalks, and limited public transportation options. This infrastructure shapes how people move through the city and often makes walking a challenge rather than a choice.
When pedestrians are an afterthought instead of a priority in city planning, the risks for those on foot multiply. For example, wide roads with few crosswalks and long stretches between safe crossing points often leave pedestrians with no choice but to jaywalk or take unnecessary risks to get where they need to go. However, when there are intersections, they’re not much safer, as they have a tendency to be wide and overly complex.
How Can We Make Texas Safer For Pedestrians?
While the current situation is urgent, there are actionable steps that Texas can take to address these issues and promote pedestrian safety. Here’s how you can help.
- Advocate for Infrastructure Improvements
The best way to cut down on pedestrian accidents? Build more sidewalks, add protected bike lanes, and improve crosswalks. Giving pedestrians their own space away from traffic makes the streets a lot safer for everyone.
- Support Vision Zero Initiatives
Vision Zero is a nationwide plan to end traffic deaths altogether, and cities that adopt Vision Zero–like Dallas–focus on making streets safer, educating the community, and strictly enforcing traffic laws to cut down on accidents for both drivers and pedestrians.
- Promote Education and Awareness
Teaching both drivers and pedestrians about safe habits makes a big difference in preventing accidents. Programs that stress staying alert and knowing right-of-way rules help build respect between everyone on the road.
- Encourage Traffic Calming Measures
In areas with high pedestrian activity, traffic calming methods like speed humps, narrowed lanes, and roundabouts can reduce vehicle speeds and make roads safer for pedestrians.
- Improve Public Transportation
Reliable public transportation vastly reduces the need for cars and makes streets far less congested. Naturally, this means safer for pedestrians. In fact, American cities with strong public transit systems, like New York and San Francisco, see far fewer pedestrian accidents.
If Texas hopes to make its streets safer, incorporating these changes into urban planning is essential.
Have You or a Loved One Been in an Accident? Know Your Rights
Understanding your legal rights is crucial for those affected by pedestrian accidents. Texas law often grants pedestrians the right of way, but proving liability in these cases can be complex, particularly in a car-centric city like Dallas. Knowing your rights—and having an advocate who can fight for them—is vital to receiving fair compensation.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Navigating these cases can be challenging, as insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts or place blame on the pedestrian.
This is where a skilled pedestrian accident attorney in Texas can make all the difference.
How An Attorney Can Help
- Assess Your Case: By examining the circumstances of your accident, a lawyer can help determine fault and build a strong case on your behalf.
- Gather Evidence: To establish liability, attorneys can collect evidence like CCTV footage, witness statements, and accident reports.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Insurers frequently offer quick settlements that don’t fully cover the victim’s needs. An attorney ensures you receive fair compensation that reflects the true impact of your injuries.
- Represent You in Court: If a settlement can’t be reached, your attorney will advocate for you, fighting for justice and the compensation you deserve.
Take Action for a Safer Texas
The rise in pedestrian fatalities in Texas is more than a statistic—it’s a call to action for safer streets and stronger protections for everyone on foot. But if you or someone you love has already been affected by a pedestrian accident, you don’t have to face this alone.
The legal obligations after an accident can be complex–especially when insurance companies try to minimize claims or shift blame.
That’s where we come in.
Don’t wait, don’t hesitate. Contact us today for a free consultation, or stop by one of our offices in Dallas, Fort-Worth, Houston or Austin so we can discuss your case face-to-face. You’re in good hands with Angel Reyes & Associates.
