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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Audit Reveals Austin Failed to Use Crash Data to Improve Safety

A recent city audit has revealed that the City of Austin has failed to use important crash information to improve public safety.

Some of the most telling information out of the Transportation Effectiveness Audit includes:

• The city did not coordinate with city departments and external partners on a transportation system, including a failure to connect across various modes of transportation.
• The city’s transportation activities have mainly been reactive, which means they largely occurred after a crisis unraveled.
• The city cites resource challenges, such as limited funding and staff, for its failures.

The report findings go on to note that the city failed to use crash information to improve traffic incident management and to target engineering, law enforcement or educational solutions. Along with this information, it was revealed that traffic-related fatalities have increased over the past four years and that some of these fatalities could have been prevented through education and law enforcement. Specifically, the audit found that drivers without a valid license were an increasing problem around Austin, with about 1/3 of all fatal accidents in Austin involving a driver with a suspended or invalid license.

Robert Spillar, director of Austin’s transportation department, says the department plans to create an engineering division that will focus on traffic safety and work with the Austin Police Department to enhance traffic enforcement. Furthermore, the department intends to address all the findings from the city audit.

We know that for some, this information is just another reminder of the loss of a loved one due to an unlicensed driver, improper engineering at traffic intersections, or other city issues. If you have lost a loved one in a car wreck caused by a careless driver or other issue related to city traffic shortcomings, you may be entitled to compensation. An Austin car accident attorney at Terry & Kelly, PLLC can help you determine your legal options. Call us today at 512-900-9000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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Mayor Announces “Austin Don’t Rush” To Help Ease Traffic

Austin Mayor Steve Adler recently announced a new initiative called “Austin Don’t Rush” to help combat traffic congestion and called for Monday, May 11th to be the first public holiday to kick off this initiative. With a decade-long boom in population growth, transportation in Austin is now at a tipping point due to the havoc the rising numbers of automobiles are causing on the city’s streets and highways.

If you live in Austin, Mayor Adler now encourages you to reduce the number of hours you are stuck in traffic by telecommuting or working unconventional hours, when possible. On May 11th, Austinites were urged to avoid rush hour and help ease congested roadways by changing their work schedule, using bikes, working from home, or taking public transit. In honor of this “holiday,” Capital Metro also offered free rides to commuters. By all accounts, it was a success.

The idea of “Austin Don’t Rush” came about when Mayor Steve Adler urged Austinites to work from home back in March when President Obama came to town to give the keynote address at this year’s SXSW. According to the Mayor, travel times during rush hour on MoPac decreased 60%, while traffic on Highway 183 decreased by about 50%. Six major downtown streets also experienced a 22% decrease in travel time as well.

A high number of road accidents including car, motorcycle, bicycle and truck collisions happen during the morning and afternoon rush hour. If you or a family member is injured in a car accident, contact the Austin car accident attorneys at Terry & Kelly, PLLC immediately to preserve your rights and seek the maximum compensation possible. Call us today at 512-900-9000 to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation.

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Motorcyclist Dies In East Austin After Colliding With Car

A motorcyclist in his 30s died in a crash with a car in the 1600 block of Royal Crest Drive by Riverside Drive in East Austin recently. This was the third motorcycle fatality in Austin in a matter of days. Just a few days before, a 57-year old man and a 17-year-old teen both died in crashes involving vehicles failing to yield when exiting private drives.

At Terry & Kelly, PLLC our Austin motorcycle accident attorneys have seen it all – and in many cases other motorists are responsible for these fatal motorcycle accidents. The majority of motorcycle accidents occur when a car or other motor vehicle illegally crosses the path of the motorcycle, particularly when making left turns in front of the bike. Often due to the small frame of a motorcycle, other motorists simply fail to see motorcycles on the road – especially in certain conditions.

Motorcycles also provide very little protection to their riders, making them particularly vulnerable to injury if they are involved in a crash. As we all know, there’s no steel body around riders, no air bags to keep them from being thrown forward or seat belts to restrain them.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused the negligence of another driver, contact the Austin motorcycle accident lawyers at Terry & Kelly today by calling 512-900-9000. We offer all injured victims of motorcycle accidents a free consultation and case evaluation.

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Staying Safe From the Dangers of Summer

An old and well-known saying tells us that “in summertime, the living is easy.” However, it is also important to not underestimate the many dangers we all face in summer. Many people believe that the winter, with its icy roads and severe weather, is the most dangerous time for drivers when in fact more accidents and fatalities happen in the summer.

Visiting tourists, young drivers on the road, and more bicyclists are just a few of the elements that can lead to a car accident disaster in just a matter of seconds. Additionally, the soaring temperatures in summer, especially in Texas, can lead to road hazards such as tire blowouts or road rage in heavily congested traffic areas.

Along with visitors who may not be familiar with area roads and demographics, it is critical to watch for other vehicles, such as motorcycles or bicycles. Warm weather entices more outdoor activity, and as such, many riders may take to the open road at all hours of the day, which can pose a hazard for folks unprepared for these types of vehicles. Motorcycles and bicycles can dart out into oncoming traffic without warning, make sudden turns or stops, or “hide” in a car’s blindspot, which can result in an accident.

No one wants a vacation or a casual trip to be ruined in the terrible event of an accident or injury. Should you find yourself the unfortunate victim of a car accident, it is important to contact an Austin car accident attorney immediately to determine your rights and assist in your recovery efforts. Call Terry & Kelly, PLLC at 512-900-9000 for a free initial consultation and case review.

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