Recent findings indicate a concerning trend in Austin and other major cities like Dallas, San Antonio, and Seattle: a decrease in traffic enforcement is potentially linked to an increase in fatal traffic incidents. This correlation is highlighted in a city audit which also observes that during a period with increased deployment of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers in Austin, there were notably fewer crashes and fatalities.

This trend seems to stem from a significant reduction in traffic citations, with Austin’s Police Department’s Highway Enforcement Command experiencing a drop of 70% in citations since 2019. This decrease in enforcement is partly due to staffing challenges faced by the police department, a trend mirrored nationally. These challenges have been exacerbated by the cancellation of cadet classes and a reduction in officers willing to work overtime, despite financial incentives.

In response to similar challenges, Seattle has shifted towards using automated speed cameras for traffic enforcement. This approach, however, is not permissible under Texas state law.

The audit further reveals that while the number of crashes resulting in serious injuries has remained consistent, traffic deaths have surged by 63%. Notably, state-owned roads have seen an 80% increase in traffic fatalities over the past four years, with a majority of the city’s fatal crashes occurring on these roads.

Former Police Chief Joe Chacon’s memo, sent in December last year, echoes these findings and suggests several measures to mitigate the issue. These include reprioritizing traffic stops to focus on public safety, implementing speed and red light cameras (currently banned by state law), and considering tougher penalties or driver education programs to deter dangerous driving behaviors​

Tags:

What Our Clients Say

I would highly recommend Andrew Traub and his Lawfirm. After my accident I had a complicated birth and 4 other lawyers refused to take my case. Andrew was very understanding and informative from the start. He gave me options and expectations and kept me in the loop of what was going with my case the entire time. I really appreciate all the hard work he and his team did so that I could be compensated for my injuries.

5/ 5
Lisa B. - yelp

Contact Us

Contact Us
First
Last
Enter Email
Confirm Email
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

Some of our Awards

austin accident lawyer awardsSuper LawyersTop One PercentLawyers of DistinctionMillion Dollar Advocates ForumNational Trial Lawyers Top 100Avvo 10/10 ratingTop 100 Verdict

Address

8701 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Suite 401, Austin, TX 78757
Get Directions

Hours

Office: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Appointments available: All days and hours.

Phones answered 24/7

Contact

5.0 / 5 over 38 reviews

See Reviews

Leave a Review

Connect

Navigation

While most of our clients hail from Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Pflugerville in Travis and Williamson Counties, we have also worked with clients in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Other clients have come from Lakeway, Jollyville, Anderson Mill, Kyle, and Leander. If your accident was in Texas, we can help you. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Back To Top