x
Breaking News
More () »

Drivers must now go to court for failing to yield in Austin, city officials say

Drivers who are cited for failing to yield causing bodily injury will now be required to appear in court to have their case reviewed by a prosecutor, the City said.

AUSTIN, Texas — Drivers accused of failing to yield in crashes which involve injuries will have to appear in court instead of just paying a fine, according to the Austin Transportation Department

Prior to the announcement, drivers accused of failing to yield causing bodily injury could pay a ticket online or at a ticket window at the Municipal Court.

According to the City, drivers who are cited by Austin police for failing to yield causing bodily injury will now be required to appear in court to have their case reviewed by a prosecutor.

RELATED: Pedestrian traffic deaths hit high in Austin since 2015

Austin now ticketing and towing vehicles parked in bike-only lanes

Fines for failing to yield causing bodily injury may be up to $4,000, city officials said.

“Failure to yield is one of the top four contributing factors in serious injury and fatal crashes in Austin” said Robert Spillar, director of Austin Transportation. “Last year, failure to yield was a contributing factor in 16% of fatal and serious injury crashes. Crashes of all types caused by failure to yield forever change the lives of the people involved, as well as their family members and friends."

The change comes as a part of the City's Vision Zero program, which continues its focus on impacting driver behaviors that can lead to serious injury or death.

WATCH: City of Austin hopes for zero traffic deaths, injuries by 2025

PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING

Austin police find 3-year-old boy in wooded area after going missing for nearly 12 hours, Caldwell County says

Property managers promise to make things right after Round Rock apartment fire

Before You Leave, Check This Out