Two pedestrians were hit by cars in Lubbock last weekend, and one of them was killed. The Texas Department of Transportation reports pedestrian safety is an increasing problem across the state.
One person was seriously injured on Friday night when they were hit by a car while trying to cross University near 74th Street. The other person was struck while trying to cross Parkway Drive Sunday night and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Out of 78 pedestrian crashes in the city last year, 10 people were killed, according to Lubbock Police. So far, there have been three deaths and two serious injuries from pedestrian crashes in 2023.
TxDOT says pedestrian deaths account for a fifth of all traffic fatalities in the state.
In Lubbock, TxDOT has been installing “bulb-outs” or curb extensions along Avenue Q, south of the Marsha Sharp Freeway. These are supposed to protect pedestrians by making the corners larger, giving more room for them to stand in a place that’s visible to drivers, particularly around cars parked on the curb.
The Lubbock Police Department’s Public Information Commander, Lt. Brady Cross, said for any street in town, the rules for drivers and pedestrians center on common sense.
“It just kind of goes back to grade school, the things we're all taught: you cross at an intersection. Look both ways, obviously,” Cross said. “Vehicular traffic is supposed to yield to pedestrians when they're crossing at a crosswalk, but you still want to make sure you're looking both ways and seeing the vehicles coming.”
Along main roads like Parkway Drive, University and Avenue Q, where homes and neighborhoods meet busy traffic, Cross said drivers need to be mindful both when pedestrians are using crosswalks, and when they aren’t, especially after dark.
“Just always understand that it's the duty of the driver to yield for pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections where the pedestrians are allowed to cross,” Cross said. “Just know that oftentimes, unfortunately, pedestrians don't always use the crosswalk. So you want to always be on the lookout for it.”
As always, drivers are reminded to eliminate distractions behind the wheel.
“It becomes even more dangerous when drivers are distracted with other things going on in the vehicle,” Cross said. “It could be other occupants of the car, or cell phone or radio, anything. Just always be mindful when you're driving on streets in Lubbock, or anywhere, to look out for pedestrians.”