Jacksonville leaders working to make city safer for pedestrians

Jacksonville city leaders are working with the state to make the city safer for pedestrians.

More than a dozen pedestrians have been hit and killed so far this year.

For Jake Whitteker, walking is the only way to get around.

“Kind of have to walk, ain’t got no car right now,” Whitteker said.

But he said most of the time, he doesn’t feel safe with all the traffic in the area.

“Basically, it’s just a bunch of cars running by, horns honking, be mindful, wait your turn. Sometimes you’ll be sitting there five minutes, or more. Be patient,” Whitteker said.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, there have been 14 pedestrian traffic deaths since the beginning of the year.

“Not really got a solution to it, but it’s a problem,” driver Tyler Holland said.

On Tuesday night, an attempted solution was passed in the form of two bills.

JSO will use $250,000 from the special council contingency fund to purchase and install 10 additional flashing crosswalk signals.

And a more than $1 million grant from FDOT will be used to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety at different areas throughout the city.

People are hoping the flashing lights will improve safety especially at night.

“During the day it’s fine. At nighttime who knows what can happen. You have to be aware of your surroundings,” pedestrian, Jay Garcia said.

The city will be adding flashing beacons to almost 100 locations.

Each location is prioritized by looking at the proximity of schools and pedestrian crashes and deaths.

Cox Media Group