Thousands of drivers rely on Highway 99, also known as the Grand Parkway, for their daily commutes. However, recent months have seen a troubling increase in excessive speeding and reckless driving along this vital route, particularly in the outer regions of Harris and surrounding counties.
In response to the alarming rise in crashes and fatalities on Highway 99, the Harris County Sheriff's Office launched a multi-agency task force in November. This collaborative effort brings together the resources and expertise of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Sheriff's Offices of Fort Bend, Chambers, Liberty, and Montgomery counties.
The task force's primary goal is to aggressively combat dangerous driving behaviors on Highway 99, a roadway where the Harris County Sheriff's Office has recorded an astonishing 2,280 crashes this year alone, resulting in nine fatalities. In nearby Fort Bend County, the Sheriff's Office reported an additional 322 crashes, while the Texas DPS responded to three fatalities in Montgomery and Chambers counties.
To address these alarming statistics, the task force is ramping up patrols, specifically targeting speeding and impaired driving, and implementing advanced technology for speed detection. In its initial weeks, the task force issued 418 citations and warnings, including 149 for speeding violations.
“Highway 99 has unfortunately become one of our most dangerous roadways,” said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. “Collaborating with our partners sends a clear message: reckless driving will not be tolerated.” He emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “Roadway safety is a shared responsibility. Every life lost on our roadways is one too many. Through proactive traffic enforcement, we aim to prevent these tragedies and promote a change in behavior within our community to encourage safer driving habits.”
As the task force continues its efforts, the hope is to transform Highway 99 into a safer environment for all drivers.
