HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Sitting, standing, walking in the street, or on narrow traffic medians may soon be illegal in the City of Houston.
Houston City Council is set to vote on an item Wednesday that if passed, would prohibit “sitting, standing, and walking on median strips six feet or less in width and on divided roadways where no median strip exists.”
“This is a public safety issue,” District A City Council Member Amy Peck said. Peck helped the item’s author, District G Council Member Mary Nan Huffman, place the item on council’s agenda.
If passed, violating the new rules would be considered a Class C misdemeanor – an up to $500 fine.
The item points to Houston Police crash data that “33.9% of those killed in traffic accidents are pedestrians.” It also cites specific concerns about “vulnerable populations.”
“This is not criminalizing anyone as long as they are not standing in a place they really shouldn’t stand,” Peck said.
ABC13 spoke with Darryl Charles, who said he was homeless during the pandemic.
“I’ve seen a lot of people come to close calls (in the street),” he explained.
Those close calls are why he says he supports the item.
“I think the good thing is it’s for the safety of all involved,” he said.
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