Police say education is right approach for crosswalks

The Longboat Key Police Department has been placing officers near four crosswalks that were installed in December on Gulf of Mexico Drive to watch for drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians. 

But unless those drivers have already been warned or they blatantly disregard the signals and pedestrians, they’ll likely receive a verbal warning, according to Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming.

“We’ll stop those vehicles, and we’ll educate drivers,” Cumming said, describing the education-first approach more effective than issuing citations at first contact.

The crosswalks have been criticized by residents and several commissioners who worry that they need to be more visible and have better signage.

Officers typically inform first-time violators about how the crosswalks work and what their obligations are as drivers.

When crosswalk lights are activated, drivers must slow down enough to stop “in plenty of time” if someone enters or is already in the crosswalk, Cumming said. If pedestrians have already exited, drivers don’t have to stop.

The only citation police have given for a crosswalk-related violation was related to a Feb. 5 pedestrian crash in which a man was struck while trying use a crosswalk near Country Club Shores. The driver was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian.

Cumming estimated his department has stopped 20 vehicles as part of the effort. Police will keep record of whom they stop so they will know if a driver is a repeat offender.

“The response is typically, ‘I didn’t see it,’ or ‘I didn’t realize,’ or, ‘It didn’t register,’” he said. “They are new, and people aren’t used to seeing the yellow lights. Obviously, if we see a blatant disregard, we’ll write a ticket.”

Cumming said driver behavior near crosswalks isn’t as bad as many think — perhaps because traffic is moving slowly due to congestion.

Commissioner Lynn Larson hopes Cumming is right about the effectiveness of educating drivers upon first contact.

“I see cars stopping and see two or three cars go through before somebody will stop,” she said. “I hope education is the No. 1 way to get people to comply.”

Town Manager David Bullock is optimistic that new signs and warnings (see sidebar) that will  be placed 500 feet before crosswalks to warn drivers will provide ample warning to drivers.

“When (those) go up, there are few excuses,” Bullock said. “I would expect our issuance of tickets will go up.”