What’s the Complete Streets Program and How will It Benefit Texans?

The “Complete Streets” bill, designed to ensure that lawmakers consider ALL forms of transportation (such as walking and cycling) when passing transportation initiatives, failed to get passed by the Texas Senate in 2011. The bill’s patrons, Senators Bob Deuell, a Republican from Greenville, and Rodney Ellis, a Democrat from Houston, have re-filed the bill in the Texas Senate this year. Our Houston accident attorneys mention that it’s filed as SB 565, in case you’re interested in following its progress.

The bill’s sponsors say that they’ve made some progress with the initiative since 2011 and hope for a better result this time. If passed, our Houston accident attorneys note that the bill would help ensure improved walkability, bicycle access, and handicapped access in Texas metro areas. The bill calls for bike lanes and broader sidewalks, among other things, to encourage Texans to use other modes of transportation than driving, including public transportation alternatives. (Source: Dug Begley, Houston Chronicle, 2/14/13)

There are many of us Texans who would prefer not to drive so much. We would in fact prefer to take public transportation or walk or cycle if it wasn’t so clearly hazardous to our health and if it was more convenient.

At a recent public meeting regarding adding a new light rail line downtown, Dallas seemed willing to consider proposals that would provide more streetcars and greater light rail service to make alternative transportation more convenient and reliable. But we’ll wait and see on that one. Dallas historically has made peculiar moves regarding public transportation. The bus routes seem designed for inconvenience. Safety on the light rail line was allowed to deteriorate to the point where gangs of thugs were terrorizing riders and even killed one in a widely publicized incident a couple of years ago.

But driving personal vehicles everywhere is becoming less attractive of an option all the time. Our Houston accident attorneys point out that roads in Texas become more crowded and hazardous each year. And taxes on gasoline have raised the price to levels unthinkable in years past.

Passage of the Complete Streets act might provide a firm foundation for a broader initiative regarding alternatives to driving. Studies have already shown how many hours and dollars we waste in Houston each year caught in gridlock. We’d rather spend that time and money in other ways, wouldn’t you?

Read more about how current street and transportation designs in Texas contribute to high pedestrian injury and fatality numbers. Click on this article by our Houston accident attorneys.