Rapid flashing lights make pedestrian crossings safer
As visitors flock to the Delaware beaches for summer vacation, the influx of people means more pedestrian traffic on the roads. Local police and representatives from Delaware Department of Transportation and the Office of Highway Safety met June 22 at the Dewey Beach Police Department to discuss the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon lights on the street as well as pedestrian and bicycle safety measures.
Delaware State Police Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said RRFBs are devices that flash amber-yellow lights after pedestrians press a button to alert drivers that they are crossing the street. Walkers should then make eye contact with approaching drivers and wait until traffic yields before walking, checking that each traffic lane is clear before moving on to the next, and staying alert to nearby traffic.
RRFB lights reduce pedestrian crashes by 47 percent. They are currently placed around the state to help tourists in busy beach towns, and about a dozen new RRFBs have been installed over the past year, which is more than planned, said C.R. McLeod, DelDOT director of community relations. Many visitors do not know what they are, as there are different regulations in other states for pedestrians. This leads drivers to continue through pedestrian walkways despite the flashing lights. According to Delaware law, there is a $25 fine for failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Fournier stressed it is crucial that people learn what RRFBs are to encourage safety for both pedestrians and motorists.
From Georgetown to Lewes, there is a bike trail with a network of mile-marker locations to promote use by bikers. McLeod said there has been an increase in crashes, and with the July 4 weekend coming up, it’s especially important for everyone to learn about safety regulations.
The Dewey police reported that a majority of pedestrian and bicycle crashes happen during the darkest hours, dusk to dawn. Visibility is important as a preventative measure. People can wear reflective clothing/shoes, or use the flashlight feature on their smartphones to increase their visibility to approaching motorists.
For more information on the RRFB lights and pedestrian and bicycle safety, go to Dewey Beach Police Department, police.deweytown.us, DelDOT, deldot.gov or the Office of Highway Safety, ohs.delaware.gov.
