Is Speeding On Midland-Odessa, Texas Backroads A Growing Problem?

When you move to the Midland-Odessa, Texas area, it is not difficult to see that there are a lot of backroads.  Some in which may appear as if you are in the middle of nowhere.  Oftentimes, these less-patrolled backroads give drivers the sense that they can exceed the posted speed limit.  A problem that can be found on nearly every back road in the region.

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One common thing that some people tend to forget when they are driving far above the speed limit on these back roads is that sometimes, people actually live on these back roads and are faced with vehicles traveling at dangerous speeds in the close vicinity of their homes.

What Causes Speeding On Back Country Roads?

There are various reasons as to why people would feel so comfortable driving above the speed limit in these type of areas.

Lack of Police Presence:  A lot of times, the back roads have a significantly lower police presence, giving the driver a false sense of security or risk that they will be caught.

Driver Familiarity: Some drivers will deliberately speed in an area or a road that they are comfortable and familiar with.  Falsely, possibly believing that they are safer because they know the road.

Road Layout:  Some roads are designed with long stretches of road with what seems like nothing around.  These types of roads encourage many drivers to hit the gas because there is little risk of being spotted by law enforcement.

To combat this growing problem, in late 2024, the Midland Police Department created "Operation Cruise Control," a safety initiative designed to target speeding drivers on rural roads that are widely traveled.   A program that is still in effect as of today.