The Rising Tide of Speeding: A Look at Allen, Texas
Earlier this year, NBC 5 Investigates turned its attention to a troubling trend on Central Expressway, where some drivers were clocked at speeds exceeding 130 mph. This alarming behavior has prompted law enforcement agencies, particularly in Collin County, to take action. The Allen Police Department is at the forefront of this initiative, working diligently to reclaim the highways from extreme speeders, where driving 90 mph has become disturbingly commonplace.
Riding Along with the Allen Police
To gain insight into the situation, NBC 5 Investigates rode along with Officer Andrew Rembert of the Allen Police Department. As they traveled along U.S. Highway 75/Central Expressway and Texas 121/Sam Rayburn Tollway, it quickly became evident that excessive speeding is rampant. Within moments, Rembert clocked multiple drivers exceeding the posted speed limit of 70 mph by at least 20 mph.
Rembert noted that speeds of 100 mph are not unusual, highlighting the severity of the issue. “It’s only the beginning,” he remarked, underscoring the alarming frequency of such reckless driving.
A Crackdown on Speeding
In response to this escalating problem, Allen Police Chief Steve Dye initiated a significant crackdown in May, assigning officers to work overtime specifically focused on highway enforcement. “It’s out of hand, and we need to do something about it,” Dye stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
New data from the first four months of this initiative revealed that Allen police issued 967 tickets, with over one-third of those drivers clocked at or above 90 mph. Notably, 27 drivers were recorded traveling faster than 100 mph. Chief Dye expressed concern, stating, “When you’re 30-plus mph over the speed limit, you’re a danger to everyone.”
A Broader Problem Across the Metroplex
The issue of excessive speeding is not confined to Allen. Earlier reports from NBC 5 Investigates highlighted similar reckless driving behaviors on another stretch of Central Expressway closer to Downtown Dallas, where some drivers were recorded exceeding 120 mph. Law enforcement agencies across the Metroplex are increasingly reporting that dangerous speeds pose a growing threat to public safety.
In Arlington, police shared shocking images of drivers clocked at speeds exceeding 140 mph, with one individual recorded at an astonishing 141 mph. This alarming trend has prompted police departments in cities like Allen and Arlington, as well as the Collin County Sheriff’s Department, to issue stern warnings: drivers caught exceeding triple-digit speeds will face more than just a traffic ticket.
Consequences for Reckless Driving
Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner made it clear at a May news conference that extreme speeders would face serious repercussions. “These folks are going to go to the pokey,” he declared, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement against reckless driving.
In Allen, Chief Dye reiterated the message that dangerous behavior on the highways will not be tolerated. “We’re sending the message that we’re not going to tolerate that dangerous behavior because the rest of us don’t deserve it,” he said, highlighting the collective responsibility for road safety.
Positive Outcomes from Increased Enforcement
Since the implementation of extra speed patrols, Allen police reported a 10% decrease in injury crashes across the city. Fewer accidents not only contribute to safer roads but also save time and resources for the city’s fire department, which often responds to crashes exacerbated by high speeds. “If we can reduce these high-speed, high-impact crashes, that’s beneficial to everyone,” said Jonathan Boyd, Allen Fire Chief.
The overtime costs for these additional patrols are covered by the fines collected from speeding drivers, allowing the department to maintain its staffing levels for regular calls while enhancing highway enforcement.
Funding for Future Initiatives
In response to the growing concern over speeding, transportation officials across the Metroplex are promising to allocate millions of dollars to support police departments in their efforts to combat this issue. Michael Morris, transportation director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “It’s gotten out of hand.”
Morris’s agency is prepared to fund more patrols, including the use of unmarked vehicles, to tackle the alarming increase in speeds that have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our plan is to advertise it in advance. Tell everyone in the world what it is we’re going to do, and then bring as much freaking enforcement as we possibly can,” he said, emphasizing the need for a strong deterrent.
Legislative Changes and Speed Limit Adjustments
In light of the extreme speeds reported on U.S. 75 in Dallas, City Councilman Paul Ridley called for a reevaluation of the speed limit on Central Expressway. Recently, the Texas Department of Transportation and the Dallas City Council announced a reduction of the speed limit from 70 mph to 65 mph between Mockingbird Lane and Downtown Dallas.
While this lower limit is a step toward addressing the issue, safety experts caution that it may not be sufficient to deter drivers already willing to exceed 100 mph. They argue that changes in road design are often more effective in reducing speeds. However, a lower speed limit does allow law enforcement to impose stricter penalties and make arrests at a lower threshold.
The Ongoing Challenge of Speeding
As Officer Rembert continues to patrol the highways, stopping drivers exceeding 90 mph, the hope remains that each intervention will contribute to reducing fatalities on Texas roads. “So if we can do work to prevent that, that’s what we all strive for,” he said, encapsulating the collective effort of law enforcement and community leaders to ensure safer driving conditions for everyone.