EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The Texas Department of Transportation’s El Paso District will install a new speed limit sign on US54, which may change based on traffic, weather and other road conditions.

According to TxDOT, the new “Variable Speed ​​Limit” sign will be installed on US54, from Cassidy Road to I-10, but only in the southbound lanes, and will reportedly use real-time traffic data to determine the Reduce speed limit to up to 10 miles per hour below the posted number.

According to TxDOT, warning signs warn drivers when traveling on the section of road with “variable speed limits” and inform them of the section’s current speed limit.

Eduardo Perales, PE, Transportation Director for TxDOT El Paso, believes this new sign will help reduce accidents caused by speeding and eliminate traffic congestion near the Bridge of the Americas.

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“Speed ​​is a leading factor in traffic accidents in Texas. This provides an additional tool to warn drivers of traffic jams or undesirable conditions on the road ahead and reduce their speed. One in three traffic deaths in Texas are due to speed. Although we are behavioral, we can try to prevent speeding,” Perales said, adding, “We chose this portion of U.S. 54 because we often see traffic jams through the international crossing.”

The new variable speed limit will come into force on Wednesday October 16th.

According to TxDOT, these variable speed limit signs are made possible by House Bill 1885, passed in September 2023.

TxDOT figures show there were 3,855 accidents caused by speeding in El Paso in 2023, of which 30 resulted in deaths and 65 resulted in serious injuries.

In 2023, 1,303 people died in speed-related accidents nationwide.

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