Houston traffic is a problem. Those who live and drive in the city understand the struggle.
It consistently ranks among the worst for congestion and commute times. With jam-packed freeways, constant construction and drivers always in a rush, the city’s roads are a daily challenge.
What makes it worse is the number of drivers who treat traffic laws like “suggestions” instead of rules. This results in more crashes, longer commutes, and unsafe conditions for everyone, especially pedestrians and families. Here is one of the top five (because there are many more) lists of road violations that Houston drivers often ignore.
Speeding
Speeding is by far the most common traffic violation in Houston and one of the leading causes of severe and fatal crashes. Drivers frequently exceed posted speed limits on major freeways such as I-45 and Beltway 8, but just as often, they drive too fast for conditions during heavy rain or congested traffic.
A typical scenario involves motorists accelerating to “beat” a yellow light, particularly on busy corridors such as Westheimer Road. This reckless behavior endangers other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians attempting to cross the intersection legally.
In 2024, the Houston Police Department issued nearly 35,000 speeding citations, with most tickets issued during peak weekday traffic. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases the likelihood that a crash will be fatal, making it one of the most dangerous violations ignored by drivers.
Running red lights and stop signs
Houston has a long-standing problem with drivers disregarding traffic signals. Whether it is speeding through a red light or rolling through a neighborhood stop sign, these actions significantly increase the chances of intersection collisions.
One of the most common violations occurs at busy roads such as Fondren and Westhiemer, where drivers routinely run red lights to save a few seconds. After the city deactivated its red-light camera program in 2011, researchers documented a 23 percent increase in right-angle crashes at intersections where cameras were once active. These types of crashes, often called “T-bone” collisions, are particularly dangerous because they typically occur at high speeds and impact the side of a vehicle where passengers have less protection.
Aggressive and unsafe lane changes
Highway driving in Houston often feels more like a high-stakes competition than a commute. Aggressive lane changes are common on freeways, where impatient drivers weave in and out of traffic with little regard for safety.
Texas law requires drivers to remain within a single lane and to use their turn signals when changing lanes. However, this is widely ignored. Unsafe maneuvers include darting across multiple lanes without signaling, cutting off vehicles in heavy traffic or drifting between lanes while distracted.
Failure to yield the right-of-way
Another frequent violation is failing to yield the right-of-way, especially to pedestrians and cyclists. Drivers often behave as though intersections and crosswalks are exclusively theirs, ignoring traffic laws that protect vulnerable road users.
This behavior is not only illegal but also deadly. State and local data show that right-of-way violations remain a leading factor in serious and fatal crashes. Disturbingly, national research has found that Black and Latino pedestrians are more likely to be struck and killed in traffic crashes, a disparity reflected in Houston’s own traffic safety reports.
Distracted driving
Despite statewide laws prohibiting texting while driving, distracted driving continues to be a significant issue across Houston. The city’s drivers frequently use their phones to text, browse social media or adjust navigation apps, often while traveling at high speeds. Distractions also extend beyond phones, including eating, managing in-car entertainment systems, or turning to address children in the back seat. In Harris County, thousands of accidents each year are linked directly to distracted behavior behind the wheel.
