Longboat Key Letters to the Editor 12.10.15

Crosswalk lights should be red

Town officials think drivers will “have to get used to” the crosswalks, and they expect many drivers to continue driving through the yellow flashing lights at the 45 mph speed limit until that happens.

I am totally mystified as to why Longboat Key officials possibly could think that flashing yellow lights w​ill​ ​automatically stop traffic at a crosswalk​, especially at night​. 

Gulf of Mexico Drive has blinking yellow lights in front of the​ fire department’s two stations​. D​rivers are accustomed to driving through these lights at the speed limit​. Lights designed to stop traffic at our draw bridges, traffic lights and school buses are red, not yellow.  

The crosswalk blinking lights should be red.

The busy season is upon us, and I fear that an elderly person or child will be lured into ​crossing at one of these locations, t​rusting​ the traffic will stop, as it does with the 5 mph traffic at the crosswalks in St. Armands Circle.

No driver needs​ to get accustomed to stopping for a flashing red light. The current​ situation is an accident waiting to happen.

William M. Burke
Longboat Key

Crosswalk placement lacks direction

I am so excited about the crosswalk on GMD between Cedars East and Spanish Main Yacht Club; a route I frequent almost every day. I can hardly wait to use the walk from the east of GMD to no where.

The walk on the west side of GMD ends in the middle of landscaping for Cedars West. By the way, Cedars West does not want anyone from Cedars East to use their property to get to the beach, so of what use is the cross walk? Why does this seem so appropriate for Longboat Key?

Jane S. Oaks
Longboat Key