Neighborhood Speeding
Addressing Speeding Problems on a Neighborhood Street
Residents will occasionally send a comment to the City of Lakeway that traffic is going too fast on their neighborhood street(s). In a case like this, the first step the City of Lakeway would take is to establish whether there is indeed a speeding problem on a particular street, because speeds may often appear higher than they really are to a person standing near the road.
Depending on the roadway conditions and nature of the problem, the Public Works Department may collect speed and volume data to ascertain whether excessive speeding exists. There are typically six tiers the Lakeway Police Department and Public Works Department uses once we receive a message from a concerned resident to determine if there is excessive speeding, and whether additional deterrence methods need to be added:
- Tier 1: Lakeway Police will begin routine patrols on a particular street.
- Tier 2: Lakeway Police will schedule times to be on a specific street to monitor traffic, and possibly begin deployment of radar tracking.
- Tier 3: Radar deployment and officer scheduled to monitor street.
- Tier 4: Dedicated traffic enforcement on a specific street.
- Tier 5: Speed tubes deployed by Public Works Department to monitor all traffic on street.
- Tier 6: Traffic/Engineering Study to determine if speed reduction deterrence methods are necessary.
If you have a traffic concern on a specific street in your neighborhood, you can fill out a short form by CLICKING HERE and selecting "Traffic Concerns" under the drop-down.
Speed Bumps
Speed bumps can reduce speeds on residential streets under some conditions. However, the negatives typically outweigh the benefits, and it has been the longstanding practice of the City of Lakeway not to allow such devices. The reason?
- Emergency response times may be increased, especially if a fire truck or ambulance has to negotiate a series of bumps.
- Speed bumps may increase noise, especially for homes adjacent to the device.
- Speed bumps could typically be accompanied by a number of warning signs, creating a negative impact on aesthetics.
- Vehicles may sometimes try to avoid the bumps by driving around them on to residential properties.
- Residents may complain about lowered property values as prospective homebuyers think that there is a serious safety problem on the street.
Currently, Section 503.4.1 of the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) states that "traffic calming devices shall be prohibited unless approved by the fire code official." CLICK HERE for more details on the code, which is listed under "Fire Apparatus Access Roads."
Stop Signs
Stop signs are not an appropriate tool for solving speeding problems. Per the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TXMUTCD), stop signs should not be used for speed control. The installation of a stop sign should be based on engineering judgment that indicates the signage is necessary and meets certain established criteria listed within the TXMUTCD.
CLICK HERE to review TXMUTCD Section 2B.06 (Stop Sign Applications) and Section 2B.07 (Multi-Way Stop Applications), which list the conditions necessary before a stop sign may be considered for installation.
CLICK HERE to review Texas Transportation Code (TTC) Section 545.151, which states the law for all vehicles approaching or entering an intersection.
Heavy Vehicles
Lakeway Code of Ordinances (section 18.04.101) restricts access for vehicles designed or operated for transportation of property, and whose body weight or combined body and load weight exceeds 15,000 pounds, and/or has two rear axles. The restricted access pertains to the following city streets:
- Lakeway Boulevard between Lohmans Crossing Road and RR 620
- Lohmans Crossing Road between RR 620 and Lakeway Boulevard
- Lohmans Spur between RR 620 and Lohmans Crossing Road
- Lakeway Boulevard between Lohmans Crossing Road and The Hills Drive
There are several exceptions to Heavy Vehicles, including for emergency vehicles, certain governmental vehicles (school buses, solid waste trucks and insecticide truck sprayers), and public utility vehicles. For more details on exceptions and other information related to heavy vehicles, please CLICK HERE and search for section 18.04.101 "Heavy Vehicles."
City, County, State Roadways
The City of Lakeway Public Works Department maintains many of the local roadways within the city limits like the local neighborhood streets, Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway Drive, Highlands Boulevard and Lakeway Boulevard. However, other roads like RR 620 and Highway 71 are maintained by the State of Texas (TxDOT). Flint Rock Road is a tricky one because the majority of that roadway is in Travis County and maintained by the county, while a smaller portion is maintained by the City of Lakeway Public Works Department. CLICK HERE to see a map of Flint Rock Road indicating county and Lakeway coverage. Any local road outside the borders of the City of Lakeway would be maintained by Travis County. CLICK HERE for a more detailed explanation from TxDOT.
State Resources
Texas Strategic Highway Safety Plan