Odessa Residents React to Fatal Accident on Loop 338
By: Marianne Elisak
Updated: March 5, 2013
ODESSA --- According to the Texas Department of Transportation(TXDOT), more than 20 roads have increased their speed limit from 70 mph to 75 mph recently and West Loop 338 is one of those roads.
Residents who use the intersection at Loop 338 and 87th Street say it scares them a great deal.
"I do not want to die on the side of the road here in Texas" says Odessa resident, Josie Warner.
Warner recently moved to Odessa from Bakersfield, California and she says although it's only been a small amount of time, she has noticed a big difference on Texas roads.
"Over here, nobody slows down" says Warner.
With a mix of impatient drivers and fast speed limits, Warner says getting onto Loop 338 is very scary for her because of the speed of the other vehicles. Warner says that she feels like she doesn't have enough time to speed up to 75 mph and she feels it's dangerous.
Warner is not the only one who feels this way, many others in the area say that they try to avoid the loop if possible.
According to TXDOT, the speed limit changes were done in connection with a law passed in 2011, when the 82nd Legislature passed and Governor Perry signed a bill which instructed TXDOT to establish 75 mph speed limits on Texas Highways that already have 70 mph speed limits.
TXDOT also says that a consultant performed a speed study and the study showed that 75 mph was the proper speed on that road.
TDOT Public Information Officer, Gene Powell, says that there is currently a project in the works for a shoulder rumble strip to help with the safety on Loop 338. It's currently being designed and it's scheduled to finish by the early part of next year.
Residents who use the intersection at Loop 338 and 87th Street say it scares them a great deal.
"I do not want to die on the side of the road here in Texas" says Odessa resident, Josie Warner.
Warner recently moved to Odessa from Bakersfield, California and she says although it's only been a small amount of time, she has noticed a big difference on Texas roads.
"Over here, nobody slows down" says Warner.
With a mix of impatient drivers and fast speed limits, Warner says getting onto Loop 338 is very scary for her because of the speed of the other vehicles. Warner says that she feels like she doesn't have enough time to speed up to 75 mph and she feels it's dangerous.
Warner is not the only one who feels this way, many others in the area say that they try to avoid the loop if possible.
According to TXDOT, the speed limit changes were done in connection with a law passed in 2011, when the 82nd Legislature passed and Governor Perry signed a bill which instructed TXDOT to establish 75 mph speed limits on Texas Highways that already have 70 mph speed limits.
TXDOT also says that a consultant performed a speed study and the study showed that 75 mph was the proper speed on that road.
TDOT Public Information Officer, Gene Powell, says that there is currently a project in the works for a shoulder rumble strip to help with the safety on Loop 338. It's currently being designed and it's scheduled to finish by the early part of next year.
