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Dr. Delay

Some day, you'll be a pedestrian

By LORRIE LYKINS
Published August 14, 2005

Why should motorists care about anything pedestrian, such as crosswalks? Because it ought to be a goal every time we get behind the wheel or the handlebars to avoid colliding with pedestrians.

Even though many of us go to great lengths to avoid ever becoming pedestrians, preferring to remain within or on top of our vehicles, sooner or later we're all going to have to walk somewhere. Then we'll have to use crosswalks and hope against hope that the motorists who encounter us know that the law gives us the right of way.

Here's part of a recent e-mail from a pedestrian-friendly reader:

"Several times a day I travel 22nd Avenue North adjacent to Crescent Lake Park. There are two crosswalks, one at Seventh Street and the other at Fifth Street. While both of these crosswalks serve as a convenience for pedestrians going to and from the park, I fear for anyone's life while crossing 22nd Avenue North.

"Too often I have witnessed one lane of either eastbound or westbound traffic stop for a pedestrian crossing while the other lane of traffic does not. If this accident-waiting-to-happen isn't enough, traffic traveling in both directions on 22nd Avenue North must negotiate the city's self-imposed obstacle course of tree-filled center islands.

"Not only do these center islands narrow the street, they make visibility of pedestrians crossing more difficult. My recommendation for the safety of all is to retain the use of a crosswalk at Seventh Street and install a traffic signal at this location."

I passed the e-mail on to the city's transportation department. Michael Frederick, manager of neighborhood transportation, responded that the city is committed to improving pedestrian and bicycle safety.

All city crosswalks have been reviewed, and the city has determined that 20 sites will be enhanced with a new overhead warning device and 61 with enhanced signs and markings.

In an e-mail this week, Frederick wrote: "Much of this work is already underway and the 22nd Avenue North at Fifth Street pedestrian crosswalk will include enhancements that include an overhead warning device. This is a new device not used anywhere else in the country. St. Petersburg has been given special permission from Federal Highways to implement this new traffic control device after several years of testing, and it is expected to be approved for use throughout the country based on our experience."

Frederick also said plans are under way to design eight crosswalks that will use the new devices. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2006.

"In the meantime, we are working in cooperation with the St. Petersburg Police Department to conduct regular enforcement operations at crosswalks throughout the city, including the two on 22nd Avenue North," Frederick said.

Public service announcements covering pedestrian safety and motorist yielding obligations at crosswalks are set to air on local television this fall. Information on crosswalk safety is also being distributed in city water bills.

The bike lanes on First Avenue North and South are generating a lot of reader mail, some more cranky and grumbly than others. Interspersed with the rumblings are legitimate questions on how to best and lawfully navigate the bicycle-friendly avenues.

One reader wrote: "Traveling on First Avenue North or First Avenue South, the arrow to turn right or left is in the auto lane. I have been turning from that lane only to have cars turning next to me from the bicycle or parking lane. Which is correct?"

Great question, one I have pondered myself when motoring along the two avenues in question. I contacted Lt. Greg Schwemley of the St. Petersburg Police Department on this one. Schwemley said that motorists need to keep in mind that driving in the bike lane or the lane marked for parking is illegal and will result in a citation.

Traffic officer Mike Jockers added that motorists should look for the white lines to guide them in making turning decisions.

"Technically, anywhere you see a solid white line means that it is not okay to make a turn there," Jockers said. "When the solid white line turns into white dashes, that is the indication that motorists can safely turn." Both officers noted that marking the bike lane on First Avenue North east of 16th Street is not finished.

"The pavement is not yet fully marked - you have white lines there but no one knows what they're for and the bike lane signs are not up yet," Jockers said, so be alert to this when driving in the area.

Frederick said the city has contracted with a vendor to install markings on the pavement along both First Avenues to indicate bike lanes. He acknowledged that the installation is a bit behind but said he expects the job to be finished in a matter of days or weeks.

The city will install signs along the same stretch of roadway. The goal has been to have both avenues marked uniformly, but Frederick said there was no room to mark a right turn lane, so motorists will need to be vigilant and pay attention to the white lines.

Until next week, happy and safe motoring!

Please share your traffic concerns, comments and questions with Dr. Delay via e-mail at docdelay@yahoo.com

[Last modified August 14, 2005, 00:53:19]