Tampa unveils first ‘Crosswalks to Classrooms’ intersection as part of its Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic fatalities

Crosswalks to Classrooms
The brightly painted crosswalks are meant to make drivers pay attention to pedestrians.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor unveiled the first of many colorful crosswalks throughout the city aimed at keeping kids safe as they walk to and from school.

The city painted its first Crosswalks to Classrooms intersection over the weekend and unveiled it and details of the program Thursday as attendees were arriving in Tampa for the Safe Routes to Schools conference taking place at the nearby Tampa Convention Center.

The crosswalk is at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Washington Street in downtown Tampa near the Rampello Magnet School.

“We have the distinction, the unfortunate distinction of being one of the worst communities in the nation for bicycle, pedestrian and vehicle fatalities,” Castor said. “We are here today to put an end for that.”

The crosswalk improvements include brightly colored markings aimed at drawing motorists’ attention to the intersection and making them look out for crossing children and families.

The improvements cost about $2,000 per intersection and take just a day to complete.

The city is strategically evaluating intersections to determine where to next improve sidewalks.

The effort is part of the city’s Vision Zero plan that aims to eliminate pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular deaths. Tampa is among the worst in the nation for its fatality rates.

“There are just so many ways that we can make a difference,” Castor said.

She said on a recent trip to New York City she saw a sticker underneath a driver’s rearview mirror that served as a reminder to be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists crossing at intersections.

Tampa averages about 200 traffic-related fatalities per year, a number Castor vowed to eradicate as part of her campaign promises when she ran for Mayor last year.

The Vision Zero plan includes a multifaceted approached to road safety that seeks to eliminate fatalities by combining safe transportation planning, speed management, education and strategic planning and goal-setting. Castor said the city is already working on establishing its Vision Zero goals.

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


One comment

  • gary

    November 17, 2019 at 10:17 am

    Oh yes! This will keep kids safe! OMG Democrats are pathetic! You want to keep pedestrians safe? Don’t convince them a button that flashes lights will stop a 5000 lb hunk of steel and plastic will magically stop because you push a damn button!

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories