Austin has emerged as a city with fewer overall automobile crashes compared to other major Texas cities; however, concerning statistics reveal a worrying trend in pedestrian safety. A recent special report by the Austin City Auditor’s Office reveals that while the overall number of crashes is lower, the percentage of those crashes involving serious injuries or fatalities for pedestrians remains alarmingly high at 27.9 percent, mirroring rates found in other large Texas cities.
The audit was requested by Council members Zo Qadri and Paige Ellis, who aimed to gain insight into how Austin police officers respond to pedestrian-related crashes and the enforcement of the Lisa Torry Smith Act. This law was enacted in response to the tragic death of Smith in 2017, when she was killed while escorting her child to school in a crosswalk. Under the act, Texas law mandates that officers file a special report within 10 days for crashes resulting in injuries, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage.
Between September 2021 and July 2025, auditors identified over 52,000 traffic crash reports within Austin. Although pedestrian involvement constituted just 3 percent of these incidents, the report indicated that approximately 28 percent of interactions involving pedestrians led to serious injuries or fatalities.
Notably, Austin was found to have the highest percentage of crashes involving pedestrians, recorded at 3.2 percent. Officials from the Transportation and Public Works Department believe this elevated percentage may reflect Austin’s more robust pedestrian activity in comparison to other Texas cities.
A recent analysis published by Vision Zero noted that while Austin boasts the lowest per capita serious injury and fatality rates among large Texas cities, the frequency of pedestrian deaths continues to be a pressing concern.
The auditors also scrutinized the application of the Lisa Torry Smith Act across various Texas counties including Travis, Dallas, El Paso, Tarrant, Harris, and Bexar. Results indicated that Travis County has reported one conviction, with another case currently pending. Meanwhile, Bexar County has documented one conviction, one case dismissal, and one pending matter.
Dallas County stands out with a more significant number of formal charges under the Smith Act, with the District Attorney’s Office there reporting two convictions, one dismissal, and nine cases currently pending. In contrast, Harris County has one case pending, one rejected by a grand jury, and one dismissal to its name, while no convictions or pending cases were noted for El Paso and Tarrant Counties.
Investigative responses to crosswalk crashes in Dallas County seem to contribute to the higher rates of charges being filed. The District Attorney’s Office there indicated that their officers thoroughly investigate all traffic-related fatalities in crosswalks and sometimes aid in evidence collection at the scene. This suggests that enhanced training and cooperation between police and prosecutors in Dallas may explain their increased success in filing charges under the act compared to other cities.
From September 2021 through July 2025, auditors revealed that the Austin Police Department responded to over 85,000 traffic crash calls, with officers failing to file crash reports in more than half of these instances. The challenges faced by prosecutors in proving criminal negligence under the Smith Act were also highlighted. Both APD and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office staff indicated that achieving a conviction can be tough due to complexities in the law’s language; the law stipulates that a driver must have acted ‘with criminal negligence’ for charges to stick.
Furthermore, essential evidence such as witness testimony or video that depicts reckless behavior, like speeding or distracted driving, is often unavailable, complicating prosecutions significantly.
In conclusion, while Austin displays commendable overall traffic safety, the persistent issue of pedestrian involvement in serious crashes calls for a concerted response from city officials and law enforcement.
image source from：austinmonitor
