Katy Cyclists and Motorists Urged to Exercise Caution After another Katy ISD Student was Hit

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

October 11, 2023

By Natalie Cook Clark

Fulshear Police Department urges both Katy cyclists and motorists to exercise caution after another student was struck by a vehicle while crossing a crosswalk on her way to school. Authorities reported that the student had no significant injuries.

Photo credit: Fulshear Police Department

Another Katy ISD Student was Struck by a Vehicle when Heading to School

Yesterday morning, October 10, 2023, a student cyclist was struck by a vehicle while crossing a crosswalk on her bike in route to Jordan High School. The incident occurred early in the morning when it was dark, and visibility was poor for drivers. It is darker when students are heading to school now due to daylight savings time.

The Student Had no Significant Injuries

According to Fulshear Police Department, the student had come to a complete stop at the crosswalk and was observing traffic rules. She said she saw a vehicle stopped at the adjacent stop sign and believed it was safe to proceed. The driver reported that they never saw the student and proceeded through the intersection that resulted the student cyclist running into the side of the vehicle.

Fortunately, the students had no significant injuries from the incident.

Incident Result of Poor Lighting

In addition to Fulshear Police Department pointing out the risks of students heading to school in the dark now, they also stress the importance of bicycle lighting.

“It's essential to note that when cycling at night, specific lighting requirements must be met for bicycle operation,” says a statement from the Fulshear Police Department. “A white front lamp must be mounted on the bicycle, emitting light visible from at least 500 feet ahead of the bicycle. To improve rear visibility, a bicycle should have either a red reflector visible from 300 feet behind the bicycle or a red lamp visible from 500 feet behind the bicycle.”

The department also points out that during the morning period, traffic experiences a surge especially during the time when students are heading to school.

“This incident serves as a poignant reminder to all road users, especially students, of the importance of adhering to road safety guidelines,” says the Fulshear Police Department.

These guidelines include:

• Cyclists should always equip their bicycles with adequate lighting, such as front and rear lights and reflectors, to increase their visibility on the road, especially during dawn, dusk, or nighttime.

• When approaching crosswalks and intersections, it's crucial for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists to exercise extreme caution, ensuring they establish eye contact with others before proceeding.

• Although not legally mandated, it is a strongly encouraged safety measure for students to dismount their bicycles and walk them across the intersection.

• Motorists must remain vigilant, particularly in areas with pedestrian and cyclist traffic, and should be prepared for unexpected movements by road users, especially at all crosswalks.

An Opportunity to Educate, Make Changes

“We are taking this incident as an opportunity to educate students, parents, and the community on the importance of road safety, visibility, and vigilance,” says Fulshear Police Department.

They state that their department is committed to boosting patrols and enforcement in the vicinity of crosswalks, with the primary goal of enhancing road safety and minimizing the occurrence of similar incidents. The goal is to create safer roads that are more pedestrian friendly.

According to the Fulshear Police Department, the city of Fulshear has devised plans to improve crosswalk visibility and curtail vegetation growth across the entire city, thereby enhancing the visibility of road signs and warnings.

Crosswalk safety has become a major concern and topic among the Katy community in recent weeks after the tragic death of a Cinco Ranch High School student, who was killed crossing a crosswalk on his way to school the end of last month.

Fortunately, the Jordan High School student struck yesterday is fine.

“This incident underscores the collective responsibility we all share in ensuring the safety of our community members, especially students,” states the Fulshear Police Department. “It serves as a wake-up call to prioritize safety and remain vigilant on the road.”

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