Walking is going to get a little safer in the area. The Palm Beach County Office of Community Revitalization and the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization Board is getting close to $640,000 from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for a 2012 transportation enhancement grant and it’s all going toward helping pedestrians in the area. These funds are going toward the Canal Point Pedestrian Bridge Project, according to the Sun Sentinel. This project will be kicking off in 2015.
What this project is going to do is help to enhance and expand parts of the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the area to improve safety programs, refurbish historic and scenic programs, beautify the area as well as help to preserve history and environmental mitigation.
Our West Palm Bewach pedestrian accident lawyers understand that the proposal to create this bridge came in as the most important among those seeking grants. This bridge will help to provide a safe and convenient way for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross over the L-10 Canal. On the other side of this canal are a number of businesses, residential areas and educational facilities.
The Metropolitan Planning Organization Board also claims that the bridge is going to help to complete much-needed infrastructure improvements and will provide job opportunities to the area.
Did you know that there is a pedestrian killed in a traffic accident every eight minutes in the United States? Most of these injuries are the result of not only motorist negligence, but also because of the lack of facilities for our walkers. By taking basic precautions and being aware of your surroundings, the likelihood of an accident can be significantly reduced.
Pedestrians are urged to use the city’s amenities to get around the area safely. One of the most beneficial amenities is our crosswalks. Officials with the City of Fort Lauderdale are here to offer your some crosswalk safety tips!
Crosswalk Safety Tips:
-Wait for the WAIT light before attempting to cross. WAIT does not mean to just start walking. You have to make sure that drivers are doing their part and are actually paying attention.
-Take off the headphones, turn off the MP3 player and put away your phone when crossing the street. Your full attention is needed in these areas.
-Look left, right and left again before starting to cross the street.
-Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Make sure that they see you coming!
-Don’t cross the street if you don’t think you can make it all the way in enough time.
-Look for oncoming cars before stepping passed stopped vehicles.
-Keep an eye out for turning vehicles. They vehicles may be more worried about making their turn than passing pedestrians.
-Always hold the hands of young children.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, contact Richard Ansara at 954 761-3641 or 877-277-3780 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Business Alliance Requests Funds to Better Protect Pedestrians in Fort Lauderdale, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, August 20, 2012
Pedestrian Accidents in Fort Lauderdale & the Wave Streetcar Project, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, July 10, 2012