Faded road stripes, campaign signs and other driving hazards | Street Scene
As Dan asks for lane stripes on the roads in the Killearn area to be painted again, we take a moment to thank Tim and his dedicated staff for responding to the need of repainting our fading pavement markings.
Street Scene joins Tallahassee citizens in asking Tim to insure our pavement markings are highly visible at night during a rain.
Gun violence: What can be done about gun violence in Tallahassee? Here's what readers say
Crash: Two hospitalized after motorcycle, vehicle collision on North Monroe Street; lanes closed
Campaign signs
Q. Bill asks Street Scene to remind all political candidates and their supporters not to put up campaign signs where the signs block a drivers ability to see oncoming traffic at intersections.
A. Thank you for a very important reminder, Bill. We had the large sign at Timberlane and Meridian taken down to open up the sight distance. Candidates, in the case of a traffic crash resulting from the placement of your sign you can be named a party in a civil action. Also, win or lose, please take down all your vote-for-me signs after the election.
Electronic signs
Q. Phil, MD, finds Citrus County to be serious about vehicles blocking lanes designed for moving traffic with signs bringing attention to Florida Statute indicating drivers can expect fines up to $166 for being stopped in a through lane.
A. There is no question vehicles stopped on a roadway impeding the flow of traffic is a potential hazard not only in Citrus County and Tallahassee but the entire country. What I found in Crystal River and other cities in Florida is out-of- state drivers confused which lane to be in to access their chosen direction of travel.
Such as getting on the 589 Suncoast Parkway in Crystal River. As far as drivers on Gulf to Lake Highway wanting to get on the 589, construction had everyone confused. We certainly need to bring back driver education in schools so we can learn how to drive a car and be safe at the same time but let’s remember, we are a retirement state.
Our local, state and federal governments need to be more empathetic and realize out-of- state drivers find themselves in a difficult to understand maze of bumper-to-bumper congestion which blocks their view of directional signs posted on the side of the road. Until overhead signing is commonplace (which is becoming more prevalent around the Tampa Bay area I’m happy to report) we can expect confusion from those unfamiliar with local traffic patterns.
Not to make excuses for poor driving habits, but Tallahassee is extremely condensed creating a situation which is, in a way, helpful insofar as we know what to expect of each other at popular restaurants, coffee shops, drive-through restaurants, bus stops, trash pickups, drop lanes and recreational venues.
None of us are surprised each afternoon when we encounter traffic crawling along in advance of the Thomasville Road Capital Circle merge area under the overpass. We don’t like it but we’re not surprised. However the driver headed home to Atlanta might find himself in Killearn Estates.
With available and affordable electronic advance warning systems there are steps we can take to allow people to dine where they choose when they choose and how without a crash and without the threat of a $166 fine.
With the same equipment used to change a red traffic light to green and a don’t walk signal to walk, we can offer flashing warning lights in overhead signs with unlimited variable messaging such as: this lane closed, congestion ahead, expect delays, traffic crash ahead.
My suggestion is to have our city management to sit down with the management of restaurants and coffee shops to have them pay for the signs, equipment and installation with the understanding we will maintain them. There is ample safety money available through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for just such projects.
Speeding and growing pains
Q. John joins many others when he says the lack of law enforcement has led to more drivers speeding everywhere. John also does not accept my premise that our citizens need to contend with noisy trucks from time to time associated with ill planned development. He asks: are our citizens expected to just blindly accept the transformation of our community to a metropolis? What about the property rights of others to be protected from such activities?
A. John, Tallahassee growing into adulthood is happening right before our eyes. We can try to plug the dam but the breach has occurred. In this column I have given multiple reasons why Tallahassee is a perfect place to live. I’ve gone so far as to discourage friends and family from moving here saying it’s freezing in the winter and sweltering in the summer.
Don’t forget it is the responsibility of Street Scene to bring information, primarily from citizens, good news and bad. I am not saying lie down and accept anything, only to recognize what is going on around us. As far as the who, what, when, where and how of development; that falls directly to the citizenry of all municipalities. It is the citizens that are charged with guiding their planners.
The history of this country shows us, if a citizen backlash develops (no pun intended) as a development proposal is brought forward it will always be the local newspaper that joins the march pounding the drum. A democracy relies on its citizens to mold its own future. To be sure, some poor decisions have been made but that doesn’t have to represent the future.
Confusing traffic light?
Q. Ricki says thank you, Street Scene is our favorite part of the paper. Then asks if anyone else is confused by the traffic light at the intersection of Apalachee Parkway and Monroe Street?
A. Ricki the main complaint at this location is out-of-state drivers so enthralled by our State Capitol they end up in the wrong lane. Which is understandable. I would like to ask you, Ricki, to please write again and be more specific so I may directly answer what might be confusing to you. Thanks for your kind remarks.
Philip Stuart is a retired Florida State Trooper, Traffic Operations Projects Engineer and Forensics Expert Witness. Write to crashsites@embarqmail.com.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Road stripes, campaign signs and blocked lanes annoy drivers
