A recent study has highlighted potential dangers for children walking or riding along the streets of Houston in four prominent areas. Conducted by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, the study examined transportation-related injuries involving children across the city from 2018 to 2023.
Transportation experts are now engaged in discussions to enhance pedestrian safety and explore effective solutions based on the study’s findings. Identified hot spots where children are at the highest risk of injury include:
1. Alief: Beechnut Street near Wilcrest Drive
2. Gulfton: Glenmont Drive from Renwick Drive to Royalton Street
3. Sunnyside: The Sunnyside Square Mile
4. Gulfton: Hillcroft Avenue
The study delves into Hillcroft Avenue as a case study, outlining potential improvements in these areas under the “Mayor Safe Street Initiative.” This initiative involves implementing wider sidewalks, shared-use bikeways, enhanced intersections for pedestrian access, improved bus stop access, and reducing motor vehicle lanes from eight to six. Additionally, speeds have been lowered by 5 to 10 mph in two major intersections.
The report suggests that identifying these hot spots could aid law enforcement efforts in targeting high-risk drivers.
