Texarkana ordinance targets pedestrian safety at intersections

TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) – At their October 13th meeting, the Texarkana, Texas City Council voted to establish ‘Street Safety Zones’ as part of the code of ordinances, where people or objects are not allowed to be stationary. These zones extend 200 feet from all signalized intersections, but that radius doesn’t extend past public right of way or city limits.

The city says this is all in the interest of safety.

“Signalized intersections are among the most dangerous places for pedestrians to be when crashes happen. Those vehicles usually end up at a point where a pedestrian would be,” said Brooke Stone, communications manager for the city of Texarkana, TX. “If we can just save one life, or save someone from being injured, it’d be well worth it.”

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) records show that since 2019, in Texarkana, 115 pedestrians have been injured in vehicle crashes, and 11 have been killed. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes.

“There can be nothing stationary in those areas, whether you’re a person or an object, that’s going to be cause for drivers to be distracted,” said Stone.

Distractions such as signs with messages like ‘anything helps’ written on cardboard. The people often seen around the city panhandling could be the ones who feel the effects of this ordinance the most. One man shared with us that, despite having to panhandle, he believed the rule would help keep everyone safer.

“You worry about being crushed by a vehicle or tripping and falling into somebody’s car or something like that. It’s just nice to keep people away from the cars that aren’t traveling to get across the street,” said Jacob, who was standing at an intersection holding up a sign trying to get enough money to make it to Dallas.

There is already a city ordinance specifically against panhandling that is purposefully not enforced. Enforcement of this new ordinance will be gradually introduced over the next 30 days to allow people to learn about and get used to the new rule. Violations could mean a fine of up to $500.