Ledbetter Drive has seen 116 deaths in five years, prompting Dallas to implement new safety measures, including traffic lights and increased police presence.
DALLAS — One death is one too many. Loop 12 at Ledbetter Drive has had 116 deaths over the past five years.
“I know three other people have been killed on this strip during my lifetime,” said Arthur Fleming, a Lancaster resident.
It was 2023 when Fleming said it hit home for him. His aunt, Betty Fleming, was killed while crossing the street.
“My grandmother had 20 kids. They raised me,” said Fleming. “I had lived with her more than probably any of the others during the time.”
After learning about dozens more killed, Fleming said he wonders how the problem has gotten this far.
“I’m still asking the question who’s responsible because if the police would have gotten that many people killed or something like that they’d be fired,” said Fleming.
He and many others have taken their concerns to the City of Dallas.
“Residents have been really crying out for a number of years,” said Councilwoman Carolyn King Arnold.
She said the city is taking action to improve safety.
“We have the traffic lights. We have the speed limits going on now. So, just in general, we are pushing out those instruments those tools that we need to respond to safety,” said King Arnold.
The city recently added a light at Rockport Drive last fall. King Arnold told WFAA it took four to five years to get the light added. They’ve also worked on sections of new sidewalks.
Dallas Police issued 1,291citations and 182 warnings along Ledbetter and Great Trinity Forest Way since October.
“I think the more they begin to see the presence, the more folks will get the word out that it’s not a good thing to continue speeding here in this corridor,” said King Arnold.
She said these improvements may need city, state and federal funding which takes time.
“I’m not going to do frustration. I’m going to do ‘waitation,’” said Fleming. “I’m going to see what they’re doing first. See what the numbers look like.”
He is waiting for results in hopes of improvement.
