TxDOT Encourages Drivers to "Drive Friendly, Drive Safe"
By: Sarah Hurwitz
Updated: August 10, 2012
TxDOT says their new campaign, "Drive friendly, Drive safe" is designed to remind drivers of distractions like pedestrians.
"Basically what this campaign is going to be all about is TV ads, billboards print ads all across the state of Texas reminding motorists that pedestrians are out there," TxDot spokesperson, Paul Braun said.
More than 400 pedestrian-related deaths were reported last year in Texas.
TexDOT says that safety is their number one priority.
And they say drivers need to be aware of every possible distraction.
"Just so we get the motorists to be looking out for those other aspects besides other vehicles that they be following the rules of the road, that they're not texting that they're not distracted when they're driving anywhere that they're going through school zones safely and so forth," Braun said.
Braun says this is the best time of year to launch the campaign...
"And the reason we chose this time of year to start this is because school is going to be starting soon. Granted, pedestrians, bicyclists motorocyclists they have responsibilities of following the rules of the road. But motorists, they have the greatest impact on that," Braun said.
There are four important rules that TxDOT wants drivers to remember:
1. Watch out for pedestrians and don't block cross-walks with your car.
2. Slow down in construction zones.
3. Keep an eye out for bicyclists and never drive in a bike lane.
4. Also observe the speed limit.
TxDOT says those who fail to follow traffic laws will face major fines.
