Fears of accidents and distracted motorists prompted the city of Buda to take action on reducing the speed limit along Sportsplex Drive during school hours.
The Buda City Council voted unanimously last week on first and only reading to establish a school zone in an effort to improve safety for students and residents.
“I’ve had so many bad experiences over there,” said Council Member Cathy Chilcote. “This really needs to be done so badly … signage, no parking, anything we can do needs to be done. And the parking is horrifying.”
Chilcote asked for the council to consider a future agenda item addressing the parking along Sportsplex Drive.
In July, the city of Buda was contacted by the Hays CISD transportation department about driver behavior on the road specifically during arrival and dismissal times at Dahlstrom Middle School.
The city was informed that school staff observed increased traffic at high speeds on Sportsplex Drive.
Jack Irvin, Hays CISD assistant director of transportation, requested the council consider the school zone.
“Staff members have observed rapid rates of speed displayed by many motorists leaving the YMCA, while talking on their personal wireless communication devices,” Irvin wrote in a letter to council. “These devices can not be prohibited unless the roadway is clearly posted as a school zone … restricting the use of cell phones while traveling inside the posted area.”
After a recent traffic assessment, city engineers recommended a school zone of 20 miles per hour be installed from FM 967 northward to the YMCA driveway, a distance of 1,300 feet. The speed limit will be enforced between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
