TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The number of bicyclists killed while riding in East Texas quadrupled compared with the previous year, according to data released by the Texas Department of Transportation’s Tyler District.
The data were released as part of statistics published annually by TxDOT, which detailed 165 traffic deaths in the district in 2025.
The total number of deaths increased by one compared to 2024, while rural crashes accounted for 131 of the 165 deaths, a 5% increase from the year prior.
Single-vehicle, run-off-the-road crashes resulted in 47 deaths, accounting for 29% of all fatalities.
The 2025 total was the second-lowest since 2019.
Bicyclist deaths surge in East Texas, quadrupling from last year(TxDOT Tyler District)
Unsafe speed led all contributing factors with 27 fatal crashes, followed by failure to drive in a single lane (24), wrong-side driving (18), and alcohol and drug intoxication (17 and 15, respectively).
“Although we saw a slight increase in fatalities in 2025, we remained well below our five-year average and continue to see positive trends in several areas. However, pedestrian fatalities remain a significant concern,” Tyler District Engineer Vernon Webb said in a statement.
With more pedestrians on East Texas roadways and other factors like speeding, distractions and impaired drivers, the risk of serious crashes increases, the engineer said.
Positive trends emerged in several categories, including a 10% decrease in alcohol-related deaths. Distracted driving deaths also plummeted 62%, with only five deaths recorded in 2025.
The TxDOT Tyler District builds and maintains the state roadways in Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt and Wood counties.
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