Harris County Sheriff's Office Launches Multi-Agency Task Force to Improve Safety on Highway 99
In an effort to combat the rising number of crashes and fatalities, the Harris County Sheriff's Office has launched a multi-agency task force designed to improve safety on one of the region’s most hazardous roadways, Highway 99 (Grand Parkway). The initiative, which began in November, brings together the resources and expertise of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Sheriff's Offices of Fort Bend, Chambers, Liberty, and Montgomery counties. This collaboration aims to reduce dangerous driving behaviors through proactive traffic enforcement on Highway 99.
"Highway 99 has unfortunately become one of our most dangerous roadways," said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. "Collaborating with our partners sends a clear message: reckless driving will not be tolerated."
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The launch of the task force comes in direct response to the alarming increase in crashes and fatalities on the highway. This year alone, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office has responded to 2,280 crashes on Highway 99, a disturbing statistic that highlights the growing concern. Additionally, the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office reported 322 crashes in their jurisdiction on the same roadway.
The statistics are even more sobering when it comes to fatalities. In 2024, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to 9 fatal crashes on Highway 99, while the Texas DPS reported 3 fatal crashes. Montgomery County reported 2 fatal crashes, and Chambers County recorded 1 fatal crash on the highway.
The task force has already begun taking decisive action to address unsafe driving behaviors. Increased patrols, targeted enforcement of speeding and impaired driving, and the use of technology for speed detection are all key components of the initiative. In the early weeks of the program, the task force issued 418 citations and warnings, including 149 for speeding violations.
Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy B. Katy pulling over a driver on Grand Parkway Sheriff Gonzalez emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, "Roadway safety is a shared responsibility. Every life lost on our roadways is one too many. Through proactive traffic enforcement, we aim to prevent these tragedies and promote a change in behavior within our community to encourage safer driving habits."
As the task force continues its efforts, drivers are urged to remain vigilant, obey traffic laws, and prioritize safety while traveling on Highway 99. The goal is clear: to make the road safer for everyone and to reduce the devastating impact of reckless driving in the region.
By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
