Protecting Pedestrians: Crosswalk Safety in Dallas Neighborhoods
The Texas Department of Transportation reports a 30% increase in pedestrian fatalities in the state from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, 5,766 incidents involving pedestrians killed 830 people. Both pedestrians and drivers are faulted for not yielding the right of way, but speeding and driving while distracted also play a major role.
Most Dallas residents are aware of recent tragedies involving auto accidents on Loop 12, where five pedestrians were killed in less than a year. Even if they don’t observe all the rules, the need to protect pedestrians is crucial. Unlike people involved in auto accidents, pedestrians don’t have airbags, seat belts, or other safety devices to protect them when an accident happens.
The Lisa Torry Smith Act
In 2017, the tragic death of a young mother named Lisa Torry Smith from Missouri City brought statewide attention to the need for stricter enforcement of criminal laws in pedestrian accidents. While the driver who struck Smith while she was walking her son to school was initially charged with criminally negligent homicide, he received only a $50 fine for failure to yield.
This injustice inspired Smith’s family and community members to change traffic legislation. The Lisa Torry Smith Act (Senate Bill 1055) was enacted in 2021. The goal of the bill was to help keep pedestrians safer and ensure that those who endanger pedestrians receive fair and just punishment.
Tips For Pedestrian Safety in Dallas
Texas pedestrians don’t always have the right of way. While all drivers should yield to pedestrians, pedestrians must also be responsible for following right-of-way laws to protect their own safety.
Pedestrians must observe and obey crosswalks and traffic signs. When no control signals are present, pedestrians are granted the right of way but must still be careful to observe traffic.
No matter how many laws are passed to protect them, pedestrians must be their own best advocates while walking in areas of heavy traffic.
These safety tips can help you avoid being a pedestrian accident victim:
- Always look left, right, and then left again before crossing any street, no matter how light traffic appears to be
- Cross only at designated crosswalks and intersections, never in the middle of a road
- Obey all crosswalk signals
- Assume cars cannot see you; make eye contact with drivers before stepping into a crosswalk
- Walk on the sidewalk; if no sidewalk is available, stay on the left side of the road and walk facing traffic
- Do not use earbuds, phones, or other devices while walking; keep your attention on the road
- Wear bright and reflective clothing at night
Cyclists are not classified as pedestrians in Dallas. Bike riders must follow the same traffic rules as auto and truck drivers, including yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks.
What To Do If You Are Hit By a Car While Walking in Dallas, TX
If you are struck by a car (or if you struck a pedestrian), even if you think you may be at fault, call 911 immediately. No matter who caused the incident, your health is the most important factor. Being hit by an automobile can result in life-threatening injuries, some of which you may not notice for hours or days.
If you are able, collect the contact information of the driver and any witnesses at the site. File a police report to document the accident. Follow up with all recommended medical appointments and follow care instructions. If you should decide to file a lawsuit later, completing these steps will help make your potential case stronger.
Discuss your case with an experienced Dallas personal injury attorney. Accidents involving pedestrians are taken seriously. You may be eligible for financial compensation if a driver injured you.
Contact Our Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers at Jay Murray Personal Injury Lawyers For More Help
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Dallas and need legal help, contact our Dallas personal injury lawyers at Jay Murray Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.