HOUSTON – A recent study by the Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy revealed several Houston locations that are hot spots where automobile accidents involving children happen the most.
The report maps out Houston transportation injuries that have impacted children between 2018 and 2023. The map identifies the places where interventions can improve pedestrian safety.
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“While we focused on the most dangerous areas for our data in this study, the big picture is that the areas of Houston where children were injured by motor vehicles over the last five years are as diverse as the city itself,” said Zoabe Hafeez, nonresident fellow at the Baker Institute and lead author of the report
The team focused on three broad hot spots that were particularly dangerous for children.
According to the report, two broad areas were in southwest Houston, along Interstate 59 and Westpark Tollway corridors and one was in the Sunnyside neighborhood.
By the numbers:
- Alief on Beechnut Street, near Wilcrest Drive
- In Gulfton on Glenmont Drive from Renwick Drive to Royalton Street
- Hillcroft Avenue
- in Sunnyside within the Sunnyside Square Mile
Hillcroft Avenue was used as a case study to help the author outline improvements needed in these areas that could increase safety.
The safety initiatives include the following:
- Wider sidewalks
- Shared-use bikeways
- Improved intersections for pedestrian access
- Improved bus stop access
- Reduction of motor vehicle lanes from eight to six
As a result of former Mayor Sylvester Turner’s “Safe Street Initiative” (and redesigned in 2021), motor vehicle speeds were reduced by 5–10 mph in two major intersections where drivers encounter active transportation users frequently. Additionally, pedestrians and bicyclists were less likely to encounter motor vehicles in an unsignalized intersection and were able to travel at higher speeds, enhancing overall safety and efficiency of movement in these areas.
“Having good data is key,” Hafeez said. “If we know where the worst areas for kids to walk and bike are, we can improve sidewalks, shared-use paths and crosswalks to create a better environment for all road users.”