Safety first, prioritizing safety on our roads

Published on January 01, 2026

As the new year begins, residents are encouraged to make traffic safety a priority for themselves and others on our roads. Whether you’re driving, biking or walking, traffic safety is a shared responsibility.

For drivers

• Slow down. Especially in the rain, slowing down significantly increases your reaction time and lowers the severity of crashes and injuries.
• Stay focused. Put phones and other distractions away.
• Buckle up. It’s the law.
• Use headlights. When it’s too dark to see or beginning 30 minutes after sunset, and always in the rain.

If there’s a new e-bike or bike in your family, prepare yourself and your bike before riding. In San Marcos, the City Council approved new e-bike safety regulations. Under the new regulation, e-bike riding is prohibited for children under the age of 12.  

• Be safe. Wear a helmet, dress for safety
• Be visible. Attach front and rear lights, wear reflective clothing
• Be aware. Pay attention to vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians to react quickly when needed
• Be predictable. Ride in a safe and consistent manner by following traffic rules and road signs, ride with the flow of traffic and communicate your intentions with hand and arm signals.

During this winter's storms, if you need to report an issue

• To submit non-emergency related issues such as flooding, fallen trees, light outages or debris in the roadway residents can use the San Marcos city app or webpage.
• For urgent issues, please call (760) 752-7550.