Brownwood drivers and pedestrians will see a mobile safety campaign along Commerce Street on Thursday, Nov. 12, as the Texas Department of Transportation brings its statewide pedestrian-safety effort to the city.
Street teams carrying walking billboards will be stationed at high-traffic intersections along Commerce Street between Romines Street and CC Woodson Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The campaign is designed to draw attention to safety choices for people traveling on foot and those behind the wheel.
Why the campaign is coming now
TxDOT said reduced daylight during fall and winter means more people commute in darkness, increasing risks for pedestrians. Last year, 68% of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries occurred at night, according to the campaign information.
The statewide effort comes after 694 pedestrians were killed in Texas traffic crashes last year. One of those fatalities occurred in the counties surrounding Brownwood, the source reported.
Safety message for Brownwood road users
The Brownwood appearance is part of TxDOT’s Be Safe. Drive Smart. effort, which is included in the agency’s broader Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative.
TxDOT describes the initiative as a call for Texans to embrace pride, camaraderie and responsibility on the road. Its stated goal is to encourage thoughtful decisions that help drivers and pedestrians protect one another.
Residents can learn more about the campaign at DriveLikeATexan.com.