Texas DOT’s Safety Recommendations as Days Grow Shorter

As fall settles in and winter approaches, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is reminding drivers to take extra precautions, particularly during the late afternoon and evening hours, when reduced visibility makes it harder to spot pedestrians on streets and highways.

For the trucking industry, this warning is especially important. Large commercial trucks require longer stopping distances, have extensive blind spots, and need more room to maneuver. These characteristics increase risks when traveling through urban areas, intersections, industrial entrances, and freight corridors where pedestrians may be present.

The warning comes during Pedestrian Safety Month in October and ahead of the end of daylight saving time on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when clocks will be set back one hour.

This change means darkness will arrive earlier, forcing many professional drivers making afternoon deliveries to complete portions of their routes with less natural light.

TxDOT warns that everyday situations, such as a child crossing the street, someone walking a dog, or a family moving through an intersection, can become dangerous when daylight fades.

Why Fall Creates Additional Risks for Truck Drivers

For commercial vehicle operators, shorter days introduce additional challenges, particularly on routes that combine highways, secondary roads, and urban streets.

One of the biggest concerns is reduced visibility during busy traffic periods. In cities such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, large numbers of trucks enter and leave distribution centers, warehouses, industrial parks, and commercial facilities during the early morning and late afternoon hours.

In these areas, heavy trucks share the road with passenger vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, making constant awareness essential.

Truck blind spots are among the most significant safety concerns. Unlike passenger cars, commercial trucks have areas of limited visibility along both sides, directly in front of the cab, and behind the trailer.

After dark, identifying someone approaching an intersection or walking near a truck can become even more difficult, particularly when the person is wearing dark clothing or standing outside the reach of the vehicle’s lights.

Stopping distance is another important factor. A fully loaded truck requires significantly more room to stop than a passenger vehicle, and that distance can increase considerably on wet pavement.

During fall, rain, morning fog, and sudden temperature changes can reduce traction and complicate driving conditions, particularly near highway entrances, curves, and construction zones.

TxDOT’s Fall Driving Safety Recommendations

The Texas Department of Transportation encourages motorists and professional drivers to pay particular attention to visibility conditions, especially at night and during adverse weather.

Key safety recommendations include:

• Reduce speed at night, in low-visibility conditions, and whenever weather makes driving more difficult.
• Watch carefully for pedestrians, particularly at intersections, marked crosswalks, and residential areas.
• Follow posted speed limits, especially near schools and locations where children may be present.
• Check your surroundings before turning, making sure no pedestrians are crossing the roadway.
• Be prepared to stop whenever pedestrians are entering or using crosswalks.
• Avoid distractions and maintain full attention on the road.

These precautions are particularly important for drivers operating tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and other large commercial vehicles.

Additional Precautions Truck Drivers Should Take

Beyond TxDOT’s general recommendations, the size and operating characteristics of heavy trucks make additional safety practices essential during the fall and winter months.

Check blind spots before turning. Right turns are particularly challenging for large commercial trucks. Before proceeding, drivers should make sure there are no pedestrians, cyclists, or smaller vehicles alongside the cab or trailer.

Increase following distance. Reduced daylight can limit the time available to identify hazards. Maintaining adequate space provides more time to react to sudden braking, traffic congestion, or pedestrians entering the roadway.

Inspect lights and reflective equipment. Properly functioning headlights, brake lights, turn signals, side marker lights, and reflective materials are essential to help other road users recognize the presence and dimensions of a commercial truck.

Use extra caution at distribution centers. Entering, exiting, and backing up at warehouses, truck stops, rest areas, and commercial facilities require particular attention because workers and pedestrians may be moving near the vehicle.

Anticipate braking situations. A fully loaded truck needs considerable distance to stop. Reducing speed before approaching an intersection is safer than relying on sudden braking.

Watch for fatigue. Night driving, long shifts, and changes in sleep schedules can affect alertness. Commercial drivers should follow required rest periods and avoid continuing their trips when signs of fatigue appear.

These measures are especially important for last-mile delivery operations and commercial deliveries, where trucks frequently share streets and loading areas with pedestrians.

How the Time Change Affects Trucking Operations

On Sunday, November 1, Texas and most of the United States will return to standard time. At 2 a.m., clocks will move back one hour.

Although the change does not affect the total amount of daylight, it shifts daylight hours relative to normal work and travel schedules.

For truck drivers, this means some deliveries, loading and unloading operations, and return trips will take place after sunset, even when companies maintain their usual operating schedules.

The change may also increase the overlap between commercial truck traffic and pedestrian activity during the hours when offices, schools, and retail businesses close.

As a result, trucking companies and logistics operators should consider lighting conditions when planning routes, particularly when drivers must enter urban areas or maneuver through shared spaces.

What Pedestrians Should Keep in Mind

TxDOT has also shared recommendations for pedestrians, particularly those walking early in the morning or after sunset.

The agency encourages people to wear light-colored clothing or reflective materials to improve visibility, use sidewalks, cross at designated crosswalks, and avoid distractions such as mobile phones or headphones while navigating traffic.

Pedestrians should also watch approaching vehicles and make eye contact with drivers before crossing whenever possible.

Around commercial trucks, pedestrians must remain especially aware of blind spots. Standing near the cab does not necessarily mean the truck driver can see them. Crossing directly in front of or behind a stopped heavy vehicle can also be dangerous.

A Reminder to Prevent Accidents

Throughout October, Pedestrian Safety Month emphasizes the shared responsibility of drivers and people traveling on foot, bicycles, wheelchairs, or scooters.

The campaign also promotes safer street design and traffic safety education as tools to reduce pedestrian fatalities.

TxDOT highlights that walking and cycling can help reduce fuel consumption and emissions while encouraging healthier habits from an early age.

For the trucking industry, the message is equally important. Truck safety is not limited to highway driving. It also depends on what happens during turns, deliveries, loading operations, and everyday travel through urban streets.

As daylight hours grow shorter, increased awareness, careful planning, and safer driving practices can help protect professional drivers and everyone who shares the road.