The Dallas City Council has approved a reduction in the speed limit on a section of U.S. 75 Central Expressway from 70 mph to 65 mph, following investigations by NBC 5 that highlighted alarming speeds and speed-related accidents on the highway.
The new speed limit will apply to the area between Mockingbird Lane and Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The Texas Department of Transportation announced that it would put up new signage to reflect the change, making the 65 mph speed limit enforceable.
Councilmember Paul E. Ridley requested a speed study on Central Expressway after NBC 5 reported drivers reaching speeds over 120 mph on a recent Monday evening.
A previous NBC 5 Investigates series called “Driven to Death” disclosed that speed-related crashes on Central Expressway in Dallas had resulted in at least 18 fatalities and 78 serious injuries over a period of fewer than five years.
Experts on road safety pointed out that a 70 mph speed limit is unusually high for a freeway leading into a significant urban area. TxDOT raised the limit from 65 mph to 70 mph nine years ago, claiming it would help reduce congestion.
The Central Expressway garnered national media attention earlier this year after a crash involving Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, who was reportedly driving a Lamborghini at 119 mph moments before the incident that resulted in injuries for at least four individuals.
From 2019 to 2021, the number of speeding tickets issued on Central Expressway fell by 70%. Although the number of tickets increased in the following year, it remained approximately 30% lower than the figures from 2019. Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia noted that while enforcement efforts on Central Expressway have increased, staffing limitations hinder consistent speed enforcement.
Safety experts believe that adjusting speed limits alone may not be sufficient to alter driving behavior, suggesting that improvements in roadway design and heightened enforcement are needed for better compliance.
Nonetheless, with the new 65 mph speed limit, law enforcement will have the authority to issue heavier fines at lower speed thresholds. Specifically, drivers could face arrest and vehicle impoundment for exceeding 95 mph.
NBC 5 Investigates conducted an observational study earlier this year during a three-hour period on a Monday night, noting that over a dozen vehicles were recorded traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph.