The proposed legislation would give cities the ability to reduce neighborhood speed limits without having to produce expensive traffic studies.
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.”
FULL STORY: Bill targets lower speed limits in Texas neighborhoods
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