Noack proposes 20 mph speed limit for residential roads

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack is moving forward with a proposal that would continue his mission of improving safety for residents throughout communities in Precinct 3.

An item on Tuesday’s Commissioners Court agenda, if approved by the court, would set a public hearing date for July 11, 2023, to consider and approve setting a 20 mph speed limit on all county-maintained roads in residential subdivisions of Precinct 3 that have residential lot frontage.

Currently, the speed limit on neighborhood streets varies throughout the precinct with some already 20 mph, but others at 25 mph or 30 mph.

The speed limit reduction to 20 mph in Precinct 3 would apply solely to county roads in unincorporated residential communities where houses face the roadway. It will not apply to the major arteries, such as thoroughfares and collectors, which move large volumes of traffic with posted speed limits generally ranging between 35 mph and 45 mph. It also does not apply to municipal, state and federal roadways and highways or streets in gated communities that are not maintained by the county.

“Our top priority in Precinct 3 is safety,” Commissioner Noack said. “Reducing the residential speed limit will better protect our most vulnerable – children, pedestrians, bicyclists, the elderly, and pets.
“As Precinct 3 makes progress improving mobility and reducing the stress for commuters on our arterial roadways, we also want to ensure peaceful neighborhood streets where walkers and riders can blend in harmony.”

Transportation studies have shown that lowering the speed limit decreases the number of crashes; and if accidents do occur, the likelihood of pedestrian death and severe injury are greatly reduced.

“Thank you, Commissioner Noack, for taking the lead in making our community a safe place not only to live, work, and play but also to drive,” Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson said. “Leading this effort to lower residential speed limits in Precinct 3 to 20 mph will significantly increase the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and especially our children.”

Drivers traveling at a lower speed also have more time to react to pedestrians and come to a complete stop quicker, which is very important in all of our communities, where there are an abundance of pedestrians headed to and from the parks, pools, schools and other recreational activities.

“I am in full support of reducing the speed limit in our residential areas and neighborhoods to 20 mph,” Precinct 3 Constable Ryan Gable said. “Due to the dense population and the incredible growth of our county, it is constant during peak traffic hours for cars to take shortcuts through our residential streets; and my office is having to field speeding complaints, just about daily from concerned citizens living in our Precinct 3 neighborhoods. This would help to minimize our speeders and offer a level of protection for our families living and playing in their subdivisions.”

With joggers, bicyclists, dog walkers and day dreamers traversing the miles and miles of pathways throughout our wonderful residential communities, the 20 mph speed limit should provide everyone with a little more peace of mind as residents enjoy their daily exercise and adventures.

“I am pleased Commissioner Noack wants to better protect our children and pets by reducing the speed limit in our residential neighborhoods where they live and play,” said Tricia Danto, a mother of three and president of the Cochran’s Crossing Village Association in The Woodlands.

The Texas Transportation Code gives county commissioners court the authority to alter speed limits, including a reduction to 20 mph in a residential area.

If Montgomery County Commissioners Court approves the speed limit reduction during the July 11 meeting once the public hearing is completed, the Precinct 3 Sign Department will work expeditiously to replace speed limit signs with the new 20 mph signs in neighborhoods throughout the precinct.