Project Need and Approach
Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have been on the rise in Texas; pedestrian deaths increased 15.2 percent and bicyclist fatalities increased 13.9 percent in 2021. These fatalities now account for more than 20 percent of the state’s traffic-related deaths, signaling a critical need for targeted safety measures. Law enforcement officers receive a considerable amount of training on state laws and methods to enforce them. However, as the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center points out, specific training or instruction on laws pertaining to pedestrians and bicyclists can be limited, leaving many law enforcement officers unfamiliar with these laws and ill-equipped to conduct enforcement or properly respond to pedestrian- and bicyclist-related crashes. Similarly, little training occurs on how to properly conduct pedestrian and bicycle safety enforcement. It is important for law enforcement to understand the requirements for strategic enforcement of pedestrian and bicycle safety laws.
To address this issue, the Texas Department of Transportation has prioritized law enforcement training on state laws regarding pedestrian and bicyclist safety, with a focus on educating law enforcement officers on relevant laws and enforcement techniques and providing them with resources to improve safety and awareness. This project employed a multifaceted approach to achieve its objectives, including conducting in-depth workshops for law enforcement, developing training materials, and offering roll-call videos for continued education. Additionally, a guide on e-bikes, motorized scooters, and micromobility devices was created. By increasing law enforcement’s knowledge and skills, the project aimed to enhance enforcement efforts, ensure safer road conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists, and reduce traffic-related fatalities in Texas.
Project Activities
2024
In fiscal year (FY) 2024, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) continued its training of law enforcement on pedestrian and bicycle laws and provided resources to law enforcement for their enforcement efforts. The project involved a series of training workshops to educate law enforcement on state pedestrian and bicyclist safety laws. In FY 2024, 70 officers from 18 different agencies participated in five training workshops. These workshops were complemented by pre- and post-tests, which demonstrated a significant increase in participants’ knowledge of the laws. In addition, the project developed and distributed training materials such as an enforcement brochure, roll-call videos, and a comprehensive guide on micromobility devices, which were shared with officers and other stakeholders.
The project also conducted a survey of past participants to assess the effectiveness of the training and identify areas for improvement. Building upon these efforts, the project team attended several community coalitions and events to promote the training resources and raise awareness of pedestrian and bicyclist safety. These activities collectively worked to expand the reach of the training and increase its impact on law enforcement agencies across Texas.
Benefits to Texas Transportation Safety
By educating law enforcement officers on pedestrian and bicyclist laws, this project increased the safety of vulnerable road users in Texas by improving enforcement of safety laws and better equipping officers to respond to incidents. The increased knowledge demonstrated by officers after training directly highlighted the effectiveness of educational outreach and illustrated the potential to reduce fatalities and injuries by ensuring that enforcement actions are more informed and consistent.
Project Title: Law Enforcement Training on Pedestrian and Bicycle Laws
Project Start and End Dates: October 2018 – PRESENT
Author List: Neal Johnson
Sponsor/Funding Source: Texas Department of Transportation