Two of Houston’s busiest roads just landed on a national list for all the wrong reasons. A Washington Post investigation mapped recent pedestrian fatalities and found Westheimer Road and Farm to Market Road 1960 among the nation’s most deadly corridors for people on foot. Between 2010 and 2023, 36 pedestrians were killed on a 3.5-mile stretch of Westheimer, and a segment of FM 1960 ranked fourth with 11 deaths. Urban planners say the designation puts two major Houston arteries on a national list that reflects long-term design and enforcement failures.
According to the Washington Post, the analysis used police reports and federal crash records to identify short stretches where pedestrian deaths cluster, and found the toll concentrated in commercial, multilane corridors with sparse crossings and poor night lighting. The Post also noted that victims were disproportionately Black, Latino and Native American and that about one in five households in the surrounding neighborhoods lack access to a car, a sign residents must walk to reach basic needs. Its mapping shows how a few dangerous blocks can ripple into a larger neighborhood problem.
Why These Corridors Stand Out
Federal crash data show pedestrian deaths have climbed sharply over the last decade: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 7,314 pedestrians died in 2023, up from roughly 4,300 in 2010. NHTSA numbers point to several drivers of that rise, including faster multilane arterials and a growing share of tall, blunt-front SUVs and pickups. Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety finds those vehicles are about 45% more likely to cause a pedestrian fatality. IIHS also notes that fatal impacts are more likely at night and at speeds above 30–40 mph.
Local Response and Quick Fixes
Houston officials point to recent actions aimed at making crossings safer. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, Mayor John Whitmire ordered a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk and stepped-up enforcement near Lamar High after a student was struck this summer. City leaders say temporary measures and enforcement can reduce immediate risk while longer redesigns are planned.
State Projects And Where Improvements Are Planned
Some improvements are already in the pipeline: the Texas Department of Transportation is advancing a multi-mile project to add continuous sidewalks and other accessibility upgrades along sections of FM 1960 from SH-249 to I-45. TxDOT says the work includes sidewalks and new bus pads intended to make walking and transit access safer. Yet crashes continue. Recent local reporting highlighted a hit-and-run fatality on FM 1960’s westbound lanes in November, underscoring the urgency of the fixes, according to a driver bolts after killing man report.
Federal Grants And What Residents Can Expect…