Texas State Bills Would Let Cities Lower Speed Limits

The proposed legislation would give cities the ability to reduce neighborhood speed limits without having to produce expensive traffic studies.

1 minute read

April 18, 2023, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


A set of bills making their way through the Texas state legislature could make it easier for local governments to lower speed limits on residential streets to 20 miles per hour, according to an article by Noor Adatia in The Dallas Morning News.

 Current Texas state law lets cities reduce speed limits in residential areas to 25 miles per hour, but only after engaging in costly and time-consuming traffic studies. Senate Bill 1663 and its companion bill in the state House would let cities bypass these requirements.

Road safety advocates point out that lower speed limits reduce the risk of serious injuries and deaths in crashes. “Higher speeds on the road increase the risk of pedestrian death, according to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. At 23 mph, the risk of death is 10% and jumps to 25% at 35 mph, the study found.”

Friday, April 14, 2023 in The Dallas Morning News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City