The Dallas Metropolis Council voted Wednesday to cut back the pace restrict on a portion of U.S. 75 Central Expressway after NBC 5 Investigates shined a light-weight on excessive speeds and speed-related crashes on that roadway.
The pace restrict from Mockingbird Lane to Woodall Rodgers Freeway will likely be decreased from 70 mph to 65 mph. The Texas Division of Transportation stated in an announcement to NBC 5 Investigates that it could set up new indicators following the council’s vote, and the 65 mph pace restrict would then change into enforceable.
Councilmember Paul E. Ridley petitioned the state to conduct a pace research on Central Expressway after NBC 5 Investigates clocked drivers at speeds above 120 and even 130 mph on a Monday night.
Final fall, the NBC 5 Investigates sequence “Pushed to Demise” revealed that not less than 18 folks died and 78 extra had been significantly injured in speed-related crashes alone on Central Expressway in Dallas in lower than 5 years.
Highway security specialists interviewed by NBC 5 Investigates stated the 70 mph pace restrict was unusually excessive for a freeway operating into the guts of a serious U.S. metropolis. TxDOT elevated the restrict from 65 mph to 70 mph 9 years in the past, saying the upper speeds would assist alleviate congestion.
Central Expressway additionally acquired nationwide consideration for top speeds in March after a crash involving Kansas Metropolis Chief’s broad receiver Rashee Rice. Police stated Rice was driving a Lamborghini at 119 mph within the seconds earlier than a crash that injured not less than 4 folks.
NBC 5 Investigates has reported that the variety of rushing tickets written on Central Expressway declined 70% from 2019 to 2021. That quantity elevated within the subsequent yr however was nonetheless down about 30% in comparison with 2019 numbers. Dallas Chief of Police Eddie Garcia stated the division has stepped up enforcement on Central Expressway lately however nonetheless lacks the staffing ranges it must implement speeds as constantly as he would really like.
Highway security specialists stated pace restrict modifications will not be sufficient to vary driving habits on roads like Central and that roadway design enhancements and elevated enforcement could also be mandatory to achieve extra compliance.
Nonetheless, a decrease pace restrict will permit police to jot down extra substantial tickets at a decrease pace threshold. With a 65 mph pace restrict, drivers could possibly be arrested and their automobiles impounded for touring above 95 mph.
NBC 5 Investigates carried out a 3 hour check on a Monday evening earlier this yr. Between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., we noticed not less than a dozen automobiles touring above 100 mph.