Uber, Lyft Stop Austin Service After May 7th Election

The popular ridesharing services Uber and Lyft have ceased operations within the city limits after the failure of Proposition 1 on the May 7th ballot. The failed proposition would have softened some city regulations, including mandatory fingerprint background checks for drivers.

Both Lyft and Uber say that they will continue to fight for ridesharing in Austin, but talks between either company and the city seem to be futile. A representative for Uber would not state whether the company is in talks with city leaders, but said they look forward to future conversations with the city and “are open to working with elected officials who are interested in modernizing the city’s regulations for ridesharing.”

Although Uber and Lyft are no longer operating in Austin, those outside the city can still take advantage of the ridesharing services. As long as the ride did not originate within the city limits, drivers can take passengers through the city and into the downtown area. There are also a few other ridesharing companies looking to fill the void, such as Dallas-based GetMe and Phoenix-based Fare. Both apps are currently operating within the city and require fingerprint background checks for all of their drivers. Another ridesharing service called Fasten, out of Boston, is also expected to launch this month.

So while Uber and Lyft are no longer operating in Austin, there are quite a few options for those looking to get home safely. Safety on the road, whether behind the wheel or as a passenger, is our top concern at Terry & Kelly, PLLC. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s extremely important to contact Austin Car Accident Attorney immediately in order to preserve certain legal rights. Call us today at 512-900-9000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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Austin Still In The Running To Win Smart City Challenge

Motivated by a desire to tackle Austin’s problems with traffic congestion, Mayor Steve Adler has submitted a proposal that could mean a total of $50 million for the city to improve its transportation options. The Smart City Challenge is offering up to $40 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation and up to $10 million from Paul Allen’s Vulcan Philanthropy to the city that will most effectively integrate innovative technologies such as self-driving cars, connected vehicles and smart sensors into its transportation network.

A total of 78 cities submitted proposals. Austin is one of the seven finalists that received $100,000 to refine its proposal. Initially, the 30-page proposal included using drones for package delivery to reduce traffic congestion and use of self-driving cars. According to the Department of Transportation, the winning city will be one with a plan that is both ambitious and detailed. The other finalists are Columbus, OH, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Pittsburgh, PA, Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA.

“No city needs this more, and no city is better situated to take advantage of all the Smart City Challenge offers on mobility. You don’t get opportunities like this all the time, and we are going all out to win it,” Mayor Steve Adler said. “Simply put, mobility is a life or death issue for our city.”

Self-driving cars and other technological innovations are expected to make roads throughout the country considerably safer. Unfortunately, it will be several years before technology and regulations for self-driving vehicles are developed enough to allow them on the road. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s extremely important to contact Austin Car Accident Attorney immediately in order to preserve certain legal rights. Call us today at 512-900-9000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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Austin Continues to Struggle With I-35 Rock Throwing

The Austin Police Department and local residents are becoming increasingly frustrated as the number of rock-throwing incidents in the downtown area continue to escalate without any information on who may be responsible or what is being done to keep drivers safe. There were a total of 13 separate incidents reported during the weekend of May 20th alone – leaving 5 people injured and bringing the total number of cases since July 2014 to 83.

The Austin Police Department has determined that the rocks are being thrown deliberately, but stop short of offering any specifics for fear of endangering the investigation. However, many suspect the rocks are being thrown from the upper deck of I-35, off of overpasses or even from a vehicle moving in the opposite direction of the motorists who were hit.

Now the Austin Police Department is looking to create a task force to address the problem. Police have considered placing warning signs along the highway and even closing the lower deck at night, which is when most of the incidents occur. Police hope that the signs will alert out-of-town travelers of the risk and provide drivers with instructions in the event that they are hit by a rock.

If you become a victim of rock throwing along I-35, pull over as quickly and safely as possible, call 911 immediately and do not touch the area of impact or the rock. It’s important for police to know the exact time and location of the incident to help catch who’s responsible. The Austin Police Department also recommends that drivers use the outside lanes from 10PM to 6AM, take the upper deck as opposed to the lower deck, and remain aware of their surroundings. Look ahead and use your mirrors constantly.

Victims of rock throwing incidents should also contact an Austin Car Accident Attorney immediately in order to determine their legal rights. An attorney may be able to help you obtain the financial compensation needed to deal with the physical and emotional trauma you may have experienced. If you have been the victim of a rock attack on I-35, contact Terry and Kelly, PLLC at 512-900-9000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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Austin To Add 6 More Pedestrian Activated Crosswalks

The Texas Department of Transportation has confirmed that the City of Austin will install six new pedestrian crossings, or hybrid beacons, by the end of the year (one of those six is pending TxDOT approval). These beacons, also known as PHBs, are flashing crosswalks that stop traffic for pedestrians on a busy street.

The following intersections will have pedestrian hybrid beacons installed by the end of the year:

• Camino La Costa at Calidad Drive
• Red River at Park Street
• 822 Rutland
• North Lamar at Connolly High School
• Manchaca Road and Inverness Boulevard

Many locals living in South Austin are looking forward to a beacon being installed on Manchaca Road. As a four-lane road with popular destinations like the ACC Campus and the 24 hour coffee shop/music venue Strange Brew, it can be difficult to cross the busy road.

Currently, there are about 23 intersections that could qualify for improvements. Last year, four intersections were improved. At 47th Street and Guadalupe Street, the pedestrian beacon has helped many who work in the area feel safer crossing the busy road. Not long ago the U.S. Department of Transportation launched a Safer People, Safer Streets initiative aimed at creating safer walking networks across the U.S. Unfortunately, pedestrian fatalities still account for 14% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S.

Although these crosswalks will provide a safe space, it is important for all pedestrians to be on the lookout for speeding vehicles or drivers who may be driving erratically or not paying attention. We urge all pedestrians to always use the crosswalk and wait for the signal rather than cutting across when it may not be safe to do so. Dim streets, hills, and tight roads often make it hard for motorists to see pedestrians until it’s too late.

If you are ever injured in a collision caused by a careless driver, speaking with an Austin pedestrian accident attorney immediately can be critical in preserving your rights. Contact Terry & Kelly, PLLC at 512-900-9000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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