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Letter to the editor

Turn headlights on in the rain; it's safe, and it's the law

Dr. Delay Navigating South Pinellas

By LORRIE LYKINS, Dr. Delay
Published August 5, 2007

Now that the rainy season seems to have finally arrived, it's time for our annual reminder to motorists that headlights must be turned on when driving in the rain. The Doc has noticed lately that more drivers seem to be using their parking lights and, worse, flashers when driving in the rain. I'm not alone in my observation. Reader Randall Glass wrote in this week with his comments:

"The recent heavy rains have brought about the recurring problem of folks driving with their emergency flashers on. This is an illegal practice and very dangerous, as it makes drivers coming up behind these people quickly change lanes to miss hitting what they think is a parked car ahead of them. I have seen this happen twice in the past week; the second time resulted in an accident on I-275 S. I would suggest if people are afraid or uncomfortable driving in heavy rain it's better for them to pull off to the side of the road and THEN put their flashers on."

17TH AVENUE N

Not a four-way stop

Reader Michael Hoylman wrote in about speed humps on 17th Avenue N at 38th and 40th streets that confuse some motorists about right of way. Because some motorists slow to a near-stop for the humps, they appear to be stopping for a stop sign. But the intersection is not a four-way stop.

Hoylman wrote, "Traffic crossing 17th Avenue N has a stop sign but [motorists] seem to be getting confused because of cars slowing down for the humps. We have had many close calls with cars crossing in front of us, and I have seen cars ahead of us experiencing the same thing. Would you please see if you can get someone to investigate this?"

We checked with Mike Frederick, the city's neighborhood transportation manager about Hoylman's concern. Frederick said that the two speed humps are actually raised intersections that were installed in 2003; this is the first safety concern that has been brought to the city's attention in the four years.

"In response to Mr. Hoylman's concern with right of way confusion for motorists entering 17th Avenue N from the stop-controlled side street, we will install 'Cross Traffic Does Not Stop' signs under the existing stop signs. In other areas with similar issues this has resolved the concern," Frederick said.

The new signs should be installed in about two weeks.

PANHANDLERS, FUNDRAISERS

Streets getting crowded

We receive lots of e-mails about fundraisers, panhandlers and newspaper hawkers on foot in busy intersections. It's not a new safety concern or irritant for motorists, but the frustration of the motoring public and the boldness of the folks on foot do seem to be escalating.

Two weeks ago, a young man knocked on my driver's-side window as I sat at the signal at 22nd Avenue and 34th Street S. My reaction, after recovering from being startled, was concern. What if he scared someone nervous enough to pack a weapon while driving? Several badly ending scenarios flashed through my mind, and so I stopped and chatted with the young man. It turns out that he wasn't soliciting donations - he wanted to invite folks to attend an event at his church. A noble motivation, certainly, but at what potential cost to safety?

Judy Ellis, president of the Lakewood Estates Neighborhood Association, said the issue has no easy answers. Ellis says that friends of hers who have visited the area have been astounded by the number of panhandlers, as well as Little League players and newspaper vendors, perched on narrow medians in heavily traveled intersections.

"What really bothers me is that tourists coming into the beautiful city of St. Petersburg from the beaches exit the Pinellas Bayway, and what's the first thing they see? Panhandlers scattered around the median and corners of U.S. 19 and 54th Avenue S asking for money. It's bad for our image, bad for business, bad for all of us," Ellis said.

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 4, 2007, 21:51:55]