JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Driver error is the leading cause of crashes on the Buckman Bridge, according to a safety study released by the Florida Department of Transportation Thursday.
The FDOT study examined a five-year period from 2009 to 2014.
The study finds that a reduction of speed and careless driving may help to reduce crashes on the Buckman.
Over the five-year study, there were six fatalities recorded on the bridge, and only two cases in which a vehicle went over the bridge's railing.
The study states there is no evidence to suggest that increasing the height of the bridge’s railings, which meet national and state standards, would eliminate the possibility of a vehicle going off the bridge.
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Crash data research revealed that implementing a revised type of railing would not reduce the number of crashes on the bridge, not even by a single mishap.
The average speed on the bridge, across all lanes, was 72 mph. That’s 11 percent higher than the posted speed limit of 65 mph.
The study lists both a short-term and long-term solutions to reduce crashes on the bridge.
As a short-term solution, the study recommends the FDOT to continue coordinating with the Florida Highway Patrol to increase enforcement of drivers speeding on the bridge.
The long-term solution to make the Buckman a safer bridge to traverse is instituting an active traffic management system.
The study suggests placing a variable message board above each lane. The boards would enable the FDOT to provide drivers with real-time information such as lane closures, speed reductions and traffic congestion ahead.
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