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New flashing signs in Dewey Beach aim to curb pedestrian, bike crashes
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New flashing indicators in Dewey Seaside goal to curb pedestrian, bike crashes
It is not an unusual sight when driving down Coastal Freeway.
You see a blur of shade. Your coronary heart jumps into your throat as a bunch of individuals sprint throughout two or three lanes of site visitors, seemingly oblivious to the stampede of vehicles headed their approach.
Or maybe you’ve been the pedestrian, tapping your foot at a marked crosswalk, making an attempt to look into oncoming drivers’ eyes to telepathically inform them to “cease.”
These points are extra than simply blood-boiling annoyances on a summer time day. Delaware has lengthy been acknowledged as one of the vital harmful states for pedestrians, rating fifth in a 2019 database of pedestrian fatalities by Smart Growth America.
Pedestrian and bicycle security is an particularly large concern on busy seaside routes like Coastal Freeway, which cuts proper by a few of Delaware’s hottest resort cities like Dewey Seaside.
On this city – the place it’s equally widespread to see sandy households hustling throughout the road to their vehicles, or folks bar hopping and having fun with reside music at night time – crosswalk indicators have been mounted with flashing lights to higher alert drivers and forestall tragedies in Delaware’s seaside cities.
Over the previous 12 months, Dewey Seaside labored with the Delaware Division of Transportation to put in these Rectangular Fast Flashing Beacons or RRFBs, which blink a yellow mild for one minute when a pedestrian hits a button to cross.
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On Tuesday afternoon, two teams of youngsters used the button to activate the flashing lights and cross the road whereas the heavy stream of site visitors slowed.
One group of women, who appeared to come back proper off the seaside with lacrosse sticks in tow, agreed that they felt safer utilizing the lights and seen that the vehicles have been extra more likely to cease. After they visited two years in the past, the stated they typically needed to flag drivers all the way down to get throughout the road.
Whereas drivers are required by state legislation to yield to pedestrians even when there are usually not flashing lights, the brand new flashing indicators can enhance compliance by greater than 40%, based on C.R. McLeod, director of neighborhood relations at DelDOT.
Nonetheless, there’s a studying curve. Many vehicles proceed by the crosswalks, or the primary lane of site visitors will cease, whereas the second doesn’t.
Dewey Seaside City Supervisor Invoice Zolper hopes to proceed efforts to extend visibility, suggesting that DelDOT paint a “yield” signal on the highway so drivers see it earlier than they method the crosswalks.
That is all a part of an effort to attract drivers’ consideration towards the crosswalks and gradual the speed of pedestrian accidents and fatalities alongside Delaware’s coast.
Within the final three years, there have been 69 pedestrian or bicycle crashes on Route 1 between Lewes and Fenwick Island, and 10 have been deadly, based on the Delaware Workplace of Freeway Security.
These statistics carry a way of urgency because the state expects giant volumes of individuals to hit the seashores – and its roads – this summer time, particularly over Fourth of July weekend.
Final 12 months introduced a summer time not like every other, however Cynthia Cavett, advertising specialist and public info officer for the Workplace of Freeway Security, stated she believes this summer time goes to be “unprecedented” in its personal approach.
“As a result of persons are able to get again on the market once more, they’re able to rejoice with their family and friends and luxuriate in life once more, which we completely wish to encourage,” Cavett stated. “However we additionally wish to ensure that they do it safely.”
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Suggestions for pedestrians
Be as seen as potential
One of the crucial frequent causes for pedestrian crashes is an absence of visibility, particularly at nightfall or daybreak, Cavett stated.
Folks can use flashlights on their telephones and put on brilliant colours or athletic clothes that has reflective materials on it.
“Even the little tiny reflective materials that is in our sneakers could make a distinction between any person staying alive or not,” Cavett stated.
At all times use crosswalks when obtainable
If the crosswalk has a stroll sign, ensure that to make use of that button to cease site visitors. The identical is true for the flashing crosswalks.
When there may be not a crosswalk obtainable, discover a well-lit space and look forward to a spot in site visitors that provides you sufficient time to cross safely. Proceed to observe site visitors as you cross.
Make eye contact with drivers
This was the most important piece of recommendation from law enforcement officials as they educated residents in regards to the new flashing indicators in Dewey Seaside.
Pedestrians shouldn’t assume {that a} driver can see them, even when the flashing lights are activated. Making eye contact with the motive force helps guarantee that they’ve seen you strolling.
Police additionally reminded folks to ensure that each lanes of site visitors have stopped.
Suggestions for drivers
Reminder: You will need to cease at crosswalks
It is not a alternative – it is the legislation. Drivers can get fined $25 for not stopping for a pedestrian utilizing a crosswalk or the place crosswalk indicators are posted.
There are sometimes many crosswalks by Delaware’s resort cities, so drivers are reminded to remain alert and drive gradual.
Don’t go a automotive within the crosswalk
If a automotive is stopped, don’t instantly go. It might be stopped at a crosswalk, ready for folks to go throughout the road.
Be looking out for pedestrians
Even when not at crosswalks, bear in mind that folks could also be strolling in low-lit areas. Drivers ought to be additional cautious when visibility is decrease at nightfall and daybreak.
Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland cities to the seashores. Obtained a narrative she ought to inform? Contact her at elytle@doverpost.com or 302-332-0370. Observe her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.
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