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First readWhat to know+
Topic: Pedestrian safety law in TexasSigned Into Law: June 18, 2021 by Governor Greg AbbottEffective Date: September 1, 2021Source: Texas State LegislatureReading Time: Under 1 minute
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Good first step: Share Neighbors, parents, or anyone who walks near crosswalks
Hey, did you know Texas has a law that makes it a crime to hit someone in a crosswalk? It's called the Lisa Torry Smith Act. Stay safe out there!
A Texas law called the Lisa Torry Smith Act makes it a crime to injure or kill a pedestrian or other vulnerable road user in a crosswalk. Governor Greg Abbott signed it on June 18, 2021, and it took effect September 1, 2021. If you walk, bike, or use a wheelchair in Houston, this law has your back.
The Lisa Torry Smith Act is a Texas state law. It makes it a criminal offense for a driver to injure or kill a pedestrian or vulnerable road user while that person is in a crosswalk. A vulnerable road user includes people on foot, bicycles, scooters, or mobility devices. The law went into effect September 1, 2021.
Use this knowledge in your everyday life. When you cross the street, you have a legal right to be there — and drivers face real consequences if they don't yield. If you witness or are involved in a crosswalk incident, document what happened and report it to Houston police. Share what you know with neighbors, especially older adults and kids who cross streets on foot every day.
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This law connects to broader efforts in Houston to make streets safer for everyone — whether you walk to the bus stop, ride a bike to school, or use a wheelchair to get around. It ties into city initiatives around Vision Zero, a goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on Houston streets.
Crosswalks should be safe. Before this law, Texas had limited tools to hold drivers accountable when they hurt or killed someone in a marked crossing. The Lisa Torry Smith Act changed that. Knowing the law exists helps you understand your rights — and helps your community push for enforcement.
