Lake Highlands Residents Seek Safety Updates Following Deadly Crash

From Staff Reports

After a deadly high-speed crash on Abrams Road intensified calls for traffic safety improvements, Lake Highlands residents will have the opportunity to voice their concerns at a community meeting tomorrow.

Councilmember Kathy Stewart is hosting the traffic safety discussion at 6 p.m. March 19 at Forest Meadow Middle School (9373 Whitehurst Dr.), where neighbors can share input on traffic enforcement, safety measures, and possible solutions for Abrams Road and surrounding streets.

The meeting follows growing frustration over reckless driving in the area, particularly near school zones. A Change.org petition with more than 1,500 signatures is calling for a traffic study, increased police presence, and speed-calming measures along Abrams, Royal, and Skillman.

“Unfortunately, due to the number of wrecks occurring near (and sometimes in) our yards, there is legitimate danger for children not only walking to and from school, but also for those being driven by parents and caregivers,” the petition organizer Megan DuBose wrote.

Stewart has already pushed for additional speeding enforcement and crossing guards at Abrams and Whitehurst but says a broader traffic plan for “traffic-calming measures” is needed.

We reached out to Stewart for comment but did not hear back before publication.

The petition requests the City of Dallas take the following steps: 

• Conduct a comprehensive traffic study: Assess driving patterns and risks at high-traffic intersections, particularly around school start and dismissal hours.
• Increase police presence and engagement: Deploy officers to enforce traffic laws and monitor these high-risk intersections, especially near schools at start and dismissal times. Evaluate officers’ barriers to intervening with reckless driving when it happens to ensure appropriate solutions are provided. 
• Install traffic-calming measures: Implement speed bumps, additional flashing school zone lights, roundabouts, and pedestrian safety enhancements near schools and heavily trafficked streets. Particular concerns are school zones, and straightaways on Abrams, Royal, and Skillman, where dangerous driving seems to be escalating. 
• Raise public awareness: Educate residents about the dangers of reckless driving — particularly excessive speeding, red light running, and distracted driving — and what to do during hit-and-runs.

Residents concerned about traffic safety are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact [email protected].