Texas Agency Urges Pedestrians To 'Stay Alive, Don't Cross I-35'

AUSTIN, TEXAS — In an effort to reduce pedestrian fatalities along Interstate 35 in Austin, the Texas Department of Transportation is spreading the message to “Stay Alive, Don’t Cross I-35” in a bolstered initiative.

As part of Phase II of the "Be Safe Be Seen" pedestrian initiative, TxDot crews have installed new "no pedestrian crossing" signs on both I-35 frontage roads and main lane center-line barriers, officials announced on Thursday. As part of the pilot program, TxDot officials said, a total of 26 signs have been installed along I-35 near 51st Street.

“Crossing a busy interstate that has a posted speed of 60 to 70 mph is not just dangerous, it’s deadly,” said Terry McCoy, TxDOT Austin District Engineer. “By painting the no crossing symbol directly on the barrier, we hope to alert pedestrians before they make the fatal decision to step onto the highway.”

In addition to the new signs, TxDOT is also providing local businesses with window clings and table tents emblazoned with the “Stay Alive, Don’t Cross I-35” mantra. These items are available for any businesses along I-35 that wish to participate in the program, officials noted.

The announcement of the campaign's launch on a day promoting the tactics of love is fitting, McCoy observed: “Valentine’s Day is a day to show those you love how much you care, and we want to do the same for our friends and neighbors who travel on foot in Austin. There are safe ways for pedestrians to cross I-35, including the new 51st Street interchange, which has a dedicated foot and bike path.”

The "Be Safe Be Seen" pedestrian safety initiative was launched in November 2017 to improve safety along I-35 and other high-traffic pedestrian areas, as well as construction zones. The program includes reflective backpacks, educational safety videos and handouts. To date, TxDOT has distributed more than 8,000 reflective bags.

TxDOT has partnered with state lawmakers, the Austin Police Department, the Department of Public Safety, business groups, schools and homeless advocates to spread the "Be Safe Be Seen" message throughout Austin, TxDot officials added.

Patch often has reported on pedestrians dying while trying to cross I-35 after being hit by cars, yielding a sense that such fatalities are occurring at a faster clip than in the recent past. Statistics from TxDot bear out that suspicion.

In response to a request from Patch, TxDot spokeswoman Diann Hodges provided tallies of pedestrian deaths along the interstate from 2015-18. Last year, seven pedestrians died while trying to cross the main artery, more than double the number from 2017, according to the data. The highest number of fatalities in recent years was in 2016, when eight pedestrians died on the highway after being struck by vehicles.

These are the grim statistics, as compiled by TxDot:

2015

• Fatal crashes: 3
• Suspected serious injury crashes: 3
• Non-incapacitating injury crashes: 1
• Possible injury crashes: 0
• Non-injury crashes: 0
• Unknown injury crashes: 0

2016

• Fatal crashes: 8
• Suspected serious injury crashes: 2
• Non-incapacitating injury crashes: 3
• Possible injury crashes: 1
• Non-injury crashes: 1
• Unknown injury crashes: 0

2017:

• Fatal crashes: 3
• Suspected serious injury crashes: 1
• Non-incapacitating injury crashes: 1
• Possible injury crashes: 2
• Non-injury crashes: 1
• Unknown injury crashes: 0

2018:

• Fatal crashes: 7
• Suspected serious injury crashes: 2
• Non-incapacitating injury crashes: 0
• Possible injury crashes: 2
• Non-injury crashes: 0
• Unknown injury crashes: 0

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>>> Photos courtesy of Texas Department of Transportation