Motorists in The Woodlands and south Montgomery County soon will see lower posted speed limits on some residential streets.
Commissioners Tuesday voted to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph on county roads in unincorporated residential communities in Precinct 3 where homes face the roadway. The change also will apply to portions of The Woodlands in Precinct 2.
New speed limit signs will be in place this month.
After hearing from several residents who opposed the speed limit reduction, commissioners said slower speeds will make communities safer.
County Judge Mark Keough was the nay vote in the 4-1 vote.
“Guys, I can’t go with you on this one,” Keough said. “I see what the folks down in Benders Landing are talking about.”
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During a public hearing, several residents opposed the lowering of the speed limit in communities where homes are on large lots.
“There are people who will have to drive a mile, mile and a half to get to Rayford (Road),” Benders Landing resident George Hyde said. “Expecting them to drive at 20 mph down a wide street with houses spaced far apart and back from the street is unreasonable.”
Hyde was supportive of lower the limit in subdivisions where homes are on smaller lots but said in acreage communities it makes less sense.
Cindy Phillips said the issue isn’t lowering the limits but rather a focus on enforcement. Motorists, she said, still will drive over the posted speed.
“Don’t penalize the law-abiding citizens who do drive responsibly and do follow the law and do follow the speed limit and do watch for kids on the road,” Phillips said.
Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack said the focus in safety.
“There is no doubt that if a child is hit by a car at 30 mph, they die. If they get hit at 20 mph, they have a much higher chance to live. Same as with an adult, same as with a pet,” he said.
Noack, along with Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, said the changes will make the speed limits in neighborhoods uniform. Speed limits now range from 20 mph to 45 mph.
“One reason I wanted to do it is it cleans up all the speed limits in my portion of The Woodlands,” Riley said. “Inside the neighborhoods, it needs to be 20, I agree with that. I haven’t had one person call me and tell me different.”
