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    Pct. 4 Constable Ron Hood gives the leading causes for accidents on Hwy 290 as distraction, alcohol, and speed.” CENTURY NEWS PHOTO BY JOHN PACHECO
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    The second meeting had a panel discussion format. (From left to right) Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith, DS Mayor Pro Tem Bill Foulds, TxDOT Assistant Area Engineer Michelle Romage-Chamber, Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace John Burns, Pct. 4 Constable Ron Hood, and Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler. CENTURY NEWS PHOTO BY JOHN PACHECO
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    Constable Deputy David Graham and ESD #1 (EMS) Commissioner Geoffrey Tahuahua attended both meetings and answered questions from attendees before and after the meetings. CENTURY NEWS PHOTO BY JOHN PACHECO

Addressing Highway 290 safety issues

Constables to begin stopping cell phone users
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Hood then asked the audience what they thought was the biggest cause of distraction while driving. In a knowing sigh, most of the audience held up their smart phones.

Within a week’s time, two separate meetings were held to discuss U.S. Highway 290 safety issues and concerns by local residents. The first was held on Jun. 13, hosted by Pct. 4 Constable Ron Hood, and the second was held on Jun. 17, hosted by Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith. 

Both meetings were held in the Sunset Canyon Baptist Church, and conducted at the suggestion of a safety campaign begun by the 290 Safety Coalition, which advocates a reduction of the speed limit on Hwy 290 in the Dripping Springs area, and promotes local traffic safety awareness.

The first meeting on Jun. 13 hosted by Pct. 4 Constable Ron Hood, was also attended by Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith, Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace John Burns, ESD #1 (EMS) Commissioner Geoffrey Tahuahua, Constable Deputy David Graham, and 290 Safety Coalition President Sarah Kline.

Hood began the meeting by giving some basic statistics on Hwy 290. “It’s 17 miles from the Travis County line to the Blanco County Line, you can drive from county line to county line in about 22 minutes, approximately 32 to 35 thousand cars travel on it each week, the speed limit changes 7 times (from 30 mph to 75 mph), there are 14 traffic lights, and the jurisdiction on it for law enforcement is shared by my office, the Sheriff’s Office, and DPS (Department of Public Safety- Highway Patrol),” Hood said. “From June 1st, 2018 to May 31st2019, there have been 169 accidents on the road with three fatalities. In 2018, 803 citations were issued by the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office.”

Hood also explained that demographically by age, the highest number of accidents belonged to the age group of 31 to 40 year-olds, with the second highest number going to the age group 51 to 60. “So it’s not the kids that are having the accidents. It’s us, the older generation. I think that it’s because we’ve been driving so long that we’ve become too comfortable behind the wheel,” Hood said. “By contributing factors, the leading causes are distraction, alcohol, and speed.”

Hood then asked the audience what they thought was the biggest cause of distraction while driving. In a knowing sigh, most of the audience held up their smart phones. Hood held up his as well and said, “Yes its these devices. As you probably know, Texas has a law against texting while driving, but there are loopholes. You are allowed to use your phone for GPS, and you’re allowed to use your phone for emergency calls. When we see you using your phone we have no way of knowing if you are doing either of the those.”

Taking questions from the audience on reducing the speed limit on Hwy 290, Hood said, “I’m torn about it, but I do think we are going to have to lower the speed limit. It may not reduce accidents, but it will reduce the severity of injuries, perhaps lower fatalities or cases of people being rushed to the hospital.”

Hood explained that on Hwy 290 west of Dripping Springs, their road sign has actually warned people that there is radar ahead without effect. “We warn people that a Constable is up ahead with a radar gun, and people are still speeding. We still make about 20 stops per day.”

Audience members expressed frustration with incidents of extreme tailgating, road rage, and aggressive driving. When asked by Hood what were the most dangerous behavior they had seen on 290, the audience responded with: cars using the center turn lane as a travel lane, going through red light (rushing the yellow), people reading or doing other things while driving and swerving onto other traffic, and aggressive drivers.

When asked by audience members if they should call in aggressive drivers, Hood said yes. “By all means call 911 and tell them what’s going on,” Hood said. “You can also remember the type of car and license plate number and call us after the fact. I will then call the owner of the vehicle and tell them that the vehicle was reported as driving unsafely at the specific date, time, and location. That can put them on notice, and sometimes it lets them know how a son or daughter or spouse is driving.”

Hood also explained that the Constable’s Office does not have quotas. “We give a lot of warnings. The officer writes a ticket at his discretion. We’re out there for public safety, not to do punitive,” Hood said. “However, the officer will usually find something else, like lapsed plates, lack of insurance, that type of thing. Again, the officer tickets at his discretion.”

When asked if he supported the Dripping Springs Hwy 290 section becoming a “left lane for passing only” section, Hood said, “Not really. I think with the heavy traffic we have with people trying to get to work we really need both lanes. Of course we still expect slower drivers to move to the right lane.”

One thing the Constable’s Office will be doing as a result of the meeting is that they will begin doing “safety stops,” when Constable Deputies observe a driver using a mobile phone. “I liked that audience suggestion,” Hood said. “I think it’s a good idea.”

The second meeting on Jun. 17 was hosted by Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith, and was also attended by Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler, Pct. 4 Constable Ron Hood, City of Dripping Springs Mayor Pro Tem Bill Foulds, Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace John Burns, TxDOT Assistant Area Engineer Michelle Romage-Chamber, and 290 Safety Coalition President Sarah Kline. Both the Sheriff’s Office and Constable Office also had several deputies in attendance.

Commissioner Smith opened his meeting by introducing the panel, and their various areas of expertise and responsibilities in relation to Hwy 290. 

TxDOT Engineer Romage-Chamber opened the panelist discussion by saying TxDOT is looking at studies and proposals that could involve changing the speed limit on Hwy 290 as well as expanding it to six-lanes from Oak Hill to Ranch Road 12.

Commissioner Smith added that CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) is another regional traffic authority doing its own studies and recognizes Hwy 290 as a major road. “CAMPO helps decide how federal money is spent and has been a great help to Hays County. They’ve helped fund some roads already,” Smith said.

Mayor Pro Tem Foulds said that the City of Dripping Springs did have a master city roadway plan. “Our concern is the intersection of Hwy 290 and Ranch Road 12 with all the traffic back up and first responders being able to get through during rush hour,” Foulds said. “We’ve worked with HEB to connect around the intersection, and we’ve worked with a large developer, Heritage, to build a road from 12 to 290 at the northwest quadrant. We are also pushing developers to contact and work with TxDOT before they start developing. Getting those rights of way is important. TxDOT helps us tremendously.”

On connectivity around 290 and 12, Commissioner Smith said, “We should also look at extensions of FM 150 west wherever possible, extending 150 to connect with 290 west of town. That will move traffic away from that problem area.”

When it came Constable Hood’s turn to speak, he reiterated the results of his meeting on Jun. 13, some of the Hwy 290 road statistics, and how distracted driving was the leading cause of accidents. “We are now going to start pulling people over when we see them using their phones and conducting safety checks. We’ll be asking ‘what’s your emergency?’ and ‘can we help you to where you’re going?’” Hood said.

Sheriff Cutler largely spoke of the growing area population and how that inevitably lead to road congestion and more dangerous driving conditions. “People are moving here, while we’re sitting here in this meeting,” Cutler said. “There’s also the fact that you’re the Wedding Capital, and all the added weekend traffic that leads to. I know 290 is dangerous. While waiting to turn onto 290, I was hit from behind and bumped out onto traffic on 290. It’s the closest I’ve come to getting killed, as long as I’ve worn the uniform.”

On ticketing, Justice of the Peace John Burns expressed frustration at how tickets don’t seem to deter unsafe driving behavior. “I can tell you there’s been an increase in ticket writing on 290, and calls for warrants from law officers wanting to draw blood from suspected drunk drivers. I can also tell you that paying tickets doesn’t seem to deter people much. I’m limited by law as to how much they pay. Unless the driver is driving 25 miles over the speed limit, most tickets are fairly inexpensive. I tell the DAs working my court not to make any sweetheart deals with people over tickets, but even if I do fine them, or add community service, I don’t think it deters much,” Judge Burns said.

Smith said that Hays County is beginning its budgeting season and looking for suggestions from residents. Constable Hood recently added a reserve officer, but is now requesting an additional officer and vehicle. “I have the commissioners support, but I also need public support,” Hood said. He believes the addition would run about $100,000.

When asked by audience members if it’s better to call or email commissioners court to express support for the Constable’s budget, Smith said to email. “I prefer you send an email, that way I have a record. The detriment is that I have one vote, and I have all of 290. By contrast all commissioners have I-35. So I’m often trying to move this by myself. I’m also the new guy. So it might not be a bad idea for you to express your support for Constable Hood’s needs by emailing the other commissioners as well,” Smith said.

Audience questions ranged from whether fines can be increased, whether there is any collaboration between Hays County and Travis County over the problems with Hwy 290, and whether additional signage can be added.

“It’s getting late, but I’ll stay and visit one on one after the meeting,” Smith said, “But I would like to get home and put my daughters to bed by 9:15,” Smith said by way of closing the meeting.

After the meeting, when asked if she was pleased with the results of the two meetings, 290 Safety Coalition President Sarah Kline said she was. “I’m pleased with the results of the two meetings, and seeing people getting involved and learning the process.”

Dripping Springs Century-News

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Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

Phone: (512) 858-4163
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