Sometimes a low-tech solution (plus some common sense) works best, so that’s what the Melbourne Beach Police Department is counting on to reduce car versus pedestrian crashes at the town’s busiest intersections.
Last week town staff installed a hand-held caution flag system to make drivers more alert to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Melbourne Beach joins beachside communities such as Flagler Beach, St. Augustine Beach and others that use a flag system.
“Our Public Works Department has installed a new safety flag system at all four of our crosswalk locations throughout the town, and they consist of bright orange flags and canisters on either end of a crosswalk.” said police spokesperson Sgt. Melanie Griswold.
Flags have been deployed to the following crossings:
- Ocean Avenue/Orange Street
- Ocean Avenue/Pine Street
- Ocean Avenue/Riverside Drive
- Atlantic Street (A1A)/Loggerhead Park
Chief Dan Duncan explained that a pedestrian wanting to cross the street would grab an orange flag from the canister to make themselves more visible to drivers as they cross. “Adding the safety flags to our crosswalks will help enhance pedestrian visibility, at the same time keep the costs to a minimum for the town at about $90 per crosswalk,” Duncan said.
Even with the flags in use, pedestrians should still be very careful and aware of all vehicles, police said.
