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North Redington Beach praises new state safety law
By JEANNIE CARLSON
Article published on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
NORTH REDINGTON BEACH – The Florida Legislature’s recent passage of a bill that requires vehicles to yield to pedestrians at intersections was applauded by the Board of Commissioners at the May 8 North Redington Beach town hall meeting.
As of July 1, when the bill goes into effect, all vehicles will be required to stop as soon as a pedestrian sets foot into any intersection to cross the street. This will be a monumental change for pedestrians and vehicles who transverse Gulf Boulevard within the limits of North Redington Beach, commissioners said.
It will require vehicles to stop for pedestrians not only at the signaled crosswalks but also at every “T” intersection. This will now include the many intersections on Gulf Boulevard with westbound roads.
Mayor Bill Queen supports the bill wholeheartedly and reminded the town’s residents of past incidents that resulted in, “Florida (having) the worst record on this (pedestrian fatalities).”
According to the mayor, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has been meticulous about ticketing vehicles that do not stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks. The new bill will expand the ticketing to vehicles that do not stop for pedestrians in any and all intersections as well as marked crosswalks.
Commissioner Curtis Blocker said his experience in public safety made him particularly aware of this issue. “We’ve had some pedestrians hit by vehicles on Gulf Boulevard. We need to get the word out on this (new pedestrian safety bill),” he said.
The upcoming July 4th festivities were discussed during new business. The parade will start at 9 a.m. this year, which is one hour earlier than in the past. The parade ends at Radcliffe Park where awards will be handed out. In addition to snow-cones, a balloon twister and the usual fare, there will be water misters this year to cool off the area and make the picnic more comfortable.
The results of the Radcliffe Park playground equipment workshop on May 6 were discussed. Evie Lopez and Ashley McGowan, the two girls who had written to the mayor regarding their suggestions for playground equipment, attended the workshop along with their mothers. With the girls’ approval, a critter climber, geo-dome climber and a swing set for kids and adults were selected for Radcliffe Park. Queen mentioned that resurfacing the tennis court at Radcliffe Park would be addressed in next year’s budget.
After receiving a letter from Kirsten Coleman, 16, a sophomore at South Sumter High School in Bushnell, the Board of Commissioners proclaimed May 10 Therapy Dog Awareness Day as part of the consent agenda.
The proclamation recognized the importance of dogs serving as friends, protectors and companions throughout human history. Medical studies have documented the therapeutic benefits of dogs both as pets and visiting the sick and confined.
Examples of these dogs in action are the Therapy Dogs Inc. and Happy Tails. The proclamation urged all citizens to raise awareness of and honor the working therapeutic dogs and their handlers who volunteer their time to communities in this effort.
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Article published on Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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