Darkness on the edge of Tallahassee's Deer Lake Way | Street Scene
Q. Jeff says driving south on Deer Lake Way, approaching the intersection with Chadwick and Waters Meet Drive the two-lane road becomes four lanes with a wide median. The (double yellow) centerline pavement markings direct the driver straight into the median.
Streets are poorly lit and have no pavement edge line stripes. Drivers unfamiliar with the area depend on the centerline, especially on rainy nights. Please investigate and see if area needs some upgrade.
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A. The area is indeed needy. All two-lane paved intersecting roads should be well lit, well signed and with highly reflective ‘up-to-standards’ pavement markings. As for the terminus of the double yellow centerline, I agree safety will be enhanced when a flare of the double yellow becomes a ‘bull nose’ type painted island in advance of the intersection directing southbound drivers to the right for a smooth easy to see transition out of the intersection continuing southbound.
Handicap parking rules refresher
Q. In our April 2 Street Scene, the discussion turned to handicap parking and the penalties which exist for non-handicapped people parking in a handicap spot. I also mentioned not every handicapped person is in a wheelchair or on crutches. Mat reminds us not to forget our disabled veterans. Any DV plate is allowed to park in handicap parking.
A. Mat is absolutely correct, if you see a DV (Disabled Veteran) tag in a blue handicap parking space they are recognized in high honor and are invited. Also invited are combat wounded Veterans who may choose a Florida plate with that language stamped in it while proudly displaying the Purple Heart.
Actually there are three more Disabled Veterans plates from which such distinguished Veterans may choose: a Red White and Blue DV license plate with Disabled Veteran printed along the bottom. Red, White & Blue plate with the pictorial of a disabled person sitting in a wheelchair with Disabled Veteran printed along the bottom and a Red White & Blue plate with the words “Paralyzed Vets of America” embossed into the plate and Disabled Veteran printed along the bottom.
All people qualified for the aforementioned recognition are invited to park in Florida’s designated handicap parking.
And since this subject seems to be important to so many of you, there’s one more thing. In Florida, the driver who is chauffeuring a handicap person is permitted to park in a handicap parking space. You guys in Atlanta must check Georgia handicap parking code and I suggest you check for any local city or county regulations/ ordinances. Thank you, Mat.
Time to trim the hedge
Q. James lets us know of a sight distance restriction on Automotive Way for drivers exiting the access road/ driveway for the Mahan Village Shopping Center. There is vegetation growing above the bridge railing on the southeast corner of the intersection. The vegetation should be cut lower to increase traffic visibility and safety.
A. Thank you James, this type of reporting is exactly what public works departments across the country watch for in Street Scene carried in local online newspapers. Today via Street Scene James' reporting alerts the City of Tallahassee public works department of a safety hazard which in turn Tallahassee PW department will dispatch a maintenance team to remove the vegetation.
Speaking of Tallahassee public works I know I speak for countless Tallahassee citizens when I say thanks to you guys for your ongoing effort to bring underground utility access (manhole) covers level with the pavement. Your good diligence is not missed by Street Scene.
Bertha's on the case
Q. Bertha, our ever diligent and reliable volunteer truck-watch sentry posted on Concord Road and Old Bainbridge Road helps Street Scene identify and discourage, maybe prevent, large semi-trucks from wreaking havoc on these two residential roads. Bertha reports the number of large trucks has substantially reduced since Street Scene got involved however there are some large trucks which are unmarked.
A. Thank you Bertha for the invaluable information you have provided and continue to provide. Since what you describe appears to me to be out of state tractor trailer semi-trucks, I think we will stick with license plate information from the cab of each truck. Which many states require to be attached to the front and rear of each tractor. And lighted.
Right on right is right
Q. Greg is confused about red arrow traffic light indications and requires some clarification.
A. Greg, in Florida and many other states traffic laws allow right turns on a red light, red arrow or full circular red lens, after a full stop and only when there is no conflicting vehicle or pedestrian traffic and when not facing a no right turn on red sign.
Unless instructed by a law enforcement officer or turning left from a one way street onto a one way street there is no exception to this law. Turning left when facing any red indication, arrow, or full circular red lens, is a violation of fs: 316.075 and carries a stiff penalty; not to mention causing a violent traffic crash. Please make yourself familiar with the provisions of this Florida law.
Philip Stuart is a retired Florida State Trooper, Traffic Operations Projects Engineer and Forensics Expert Witness. Write to crashsites@embarqmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Double yellow lines and darkness on the edge of Deer Lake Way
