HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – An insightful report from Rice University's Baker Institute highlights some of the most dangerous intersections for children walking or biking to school in Houston.
For the report, more than 600 accidents involving children and cars between 2018 and 2023 were analyzed. The result: wide streets with multiple lanes and areas without traffic lights tend to be dangerous places for children.
The Baker Institute found trends that indicate areas of southwest Houston and Sunnyside are of concern.
The four intersections classified as “particularly” dangerous for children include:
- Alief: Beechnut Street near Wilcrest Drive
- Gulfton: Glenmont Drive from Renwick Drive to Royalton Street
- Sunny side: The Sunnyside Square Mile
- Gulfton: Hillcroft Avenue
Why are these areas particularly dangerous for children?
According to the report, there are many driveways and intersections without traffic lights, meaning there are no traffic lights for drivers.
It was also pointed out that some roads were very wide, with a width of about five to seven lanes at each intersection.
How can we increase security?
The institute recommends focusing on the worst areas first. This includes creating a map that records accidents involving children to identify high-risk areas.
Next, sidewalks and crosswalks could be improved to make them wider and more visible to drivers.
And finally, work on behaviors.
How can drivers and pedestrians be educated to create greater awareness of the dangers? One suggestion is for parents to form a large walking group for their children so that everyone stays together and is clearly visible.
RELATED: Houston faces questioning over road safety after two pedestrians fatally struck by cars within 24 hours
A pedestrian was killed in the Uptown area less than 12 hours after another man died while walking in Spring Branch, according to Houston police.
Some improvements have been made at an intersection in Houston, increasing safety for pedestrians.
In 2021, a section of Hillcroft Avenue was redesigned to increase safety for motorists and pedestrians. Sidewalks were widened, bike lanes were added, and the number of lanes was reduced from eight to six.
The report says drivers reduced their speed by as much as 10 mph at two of the area's major intersections and that pedestrians were less likely to strike a vehicle outside of an intersection.
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