Council continues talks on traffic speed restrictions

By Marc Robertson - Editor | April 22, 2026

Cotulla city councilors have responded to a neighborhood petition this month with a vote to install temporary devices aimed at slowing traffic they believe may endanger children at play.

The petition submitted April 9 by Paul Trevino had been signed by scores of residents on Buckley and Ortiz streets on the southeast side of Cotulla, asking that the city pay for speed humps on the rights of way.

Councilors ultimately voted on temporary measures that will be placed in a limited number of spots for only 60 days. The devices will be removed in July.

“Cars are traveling fast there, and there are kids playing in the street,” City Administrator David Wright told councilors at their meeting. “This citizen went to all of his neighbors with the petition, and they all agreed. This is an area that could suit speed bumps.”

Wright cautioned the council against making decisions regarding traffic control on a case-by-case basis, noting that he believes many issues may be addressed with a broader policy and that law enforcement should also be involved.

“We might be setting a precedent,” the city administrator said. “My recommendation is we install speed limit signs to 15 or 20 miles per hour. Residents can call the sheriff’s office to report violations and ask for patrols.”

Mayor Sandra Luna referenced a city action of 2024 in which a traffic diversion from Hwy 97 during extensive roadworks sent cars, trucks and buses through a series of residential streets.

Councilors took urgent measures at that time, ordering placement of several temporary devices – which councilors referred to as speed bumps – on a select number of thoroughfares from which residents had filed complaints.

“Do it like we did on Pecos Street,” the mayor said. “Treat it as an emergency.”

Councilor Manuel Rodriguez said he believes the devices are effective in reducing dangers to pedestrians.

“In the Colonia, before we had humps, cars would just fly through,” the councilor said. “They don’t anymore. It does help. I’ve experienced it. It’s more safety for the kids.”

Both Wright and City Attorney Steve Pena noted that the city has a consensus policy of not installing traffic control devices on principal thoroughfares that may be used by response vehicles – law enforcement, fire trucks and ambulances – in reaching the site of an emergency in a timely manner.

“I’ve had people ask for them on Goft Street,” the mayor added, “and we know that’s a main street. We have to decide where we wouldn’t place them.”

“You don’t call them bumps,” Atty. Pena said. “You can install traffic calming devices.

“Anytime you have a long right-of-way with no stop signs, you have people who are going to speed,” the city attorney said. “You don’t just go build them. There are rules. And where are our speed limit signs? I would strongly advise against any homemade stuff.”

“It’s a municipal need with a limited budget,” Pena added.

“Do it for thirty, sixty or ninety days,” Mayor Luna said of a proposed action by the council. “See if traffic slows down.”

“I would not want speed bumps on my street,” Councilor Mary Koraleski said.

“That’s a drag strip,” the city attorney said. “But we do have good controls around our schools.”

“The ordinance shows that the city speed limit is 30 miles per hour unless otherwise designated,” the city administrator said. “In many areas, that may be too high.”

“Put all of this in your budget,” the city attorney said of future traffic control measures. “But who doesn’t know? The sheriff’s department. That’s who doesn’t know. They need a document to help them enforce the law. They’re the ones who patrol our streets.”

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