Triple-digit speeds on Central raise concerns about expressway turned speedway

A recent examination of drivers on Central Expressway in Dallas suggests that speeds allegedly reaching 119 mph, as reported in connection with an NFL player’s crash last March, may not be uncommon.

NBC 5 Investigates has been reporting for several months on the frequency of high-speed crashes along U.S. 75, a major thoroughfare running north out of downtown Dallas. The speed limit along this route was raised to 70 mph by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), coinciding with a significant decrease in the number of speeding tickets issued by the Dallas Police Department in recent years.

To gauge the extent of speeding along Central Expressway, NBC 5 Investigates teamed up with Don Peritz, a retired traffic commander from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, to conduct speed checks at three locations along the expressway between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on a recent Monday night. The results were alarming, with numerous drivers recorded traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph, including one driver clocked at a staggering 133 mph – a full 63 mph over the legal speed limit.

Reacting to the findings, Dallas City Councilmember Paul Ridley expressed deep concern, particularly in light of a recent crash involving Kansas City Chiefs player Rashee Rice, who was allegedly driving at 119 mph before the accident. Ridley emphasized that such speeds are not only shocking but also pose significant challenges for law enforcement officers attempting to apprehend speeding drivers.

Ridley’s concerns prompted a response from Dallas Chief of Police Eddie Garcia, who acknowledged the limitations of his department’s resources in enforcing speed limits across the city. Despite efforts to enhance enforcement, including the creation of a Highway Enforcement Squad in 2022, the department remains understaffed to cover all areas effectively.

Ridley called for greater collaboration between the city and TxDOT to address the issue, advocating for a re-evaluation of the speed limit on Central Expressway and increased enforcement efforts. He suggested that TxDOT should take proactive steps to address safety concerns without waiting for formal requests from the city.

TxDOT crash records obtained by NBC 5 Investigates underscore the urgency of the issue, revealing thousands of speed-related crashes on Central Expressway over a five-year period, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries.

In response to inquiries about the observed speeds, TxDOT emphasized the need for individual responsibility and stated that it had not received any formal requests to lower the existing speed limit on U.S. 75.

Ridley reiterated the need for action, urging TxDOT to reconsider the speed limit and calling for increased collaboration between the city and the state to address the safety risks posed by excessive speeding on Central Expressway.