Just to let those know who may be interested, I was told that JSO is going to start handing out $114 tickets to jaywalkers this Monday. This will apply citywide.
Quote from: thelakelander on April 01, 2016, 01:41:07 PM
Just to let those know who may be interested, I was told that JSO is going to start handing out $114 tickets to jaywalkers this Monday. This will apply citywide.
I wonder how they will enforce this in St Johns Town Center?
Those are official city streets running through there.
They really need to enforce it on Beach at St John's Bluff. People from the long term stay rooms (Intown Suites) jaywalk to get to the ABC liquor store for booze, Walgreens for meds and Winn Dixie for food. 5 people have died trying to jaywalk across there.
This will work until the first city council person or large donor gets a ticket!
If you want to catch up on the rules:
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.130.html
Quote from: blfair on April 01, 2016, 02:20:20 PM
If you want to catch up on the rules:
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.130.html
Florida has left lane laws too, have you ever seen anyone get ticketed for that?
Quote from: spuwho on April 01, 2016, 02:22:29 PM
Florida has left lane laws too, have you ever seen anyone get ticketed for that?
Yep. I've seen it happen. Their licenses were actually revoked.
Then I woke up.
Meh, I'd prefer they ticket people throwing cigarettes out the window.
I guess JSO is preparing for the red light cameras to come down and need extra revenue...
Quote from: coredumped on April 01, 2016, 02:29:29 PM
Meh, I'd prefer they ticket people throwing cigarettes out the window.
I guess JSO is preparing for the red light cameras to come down and need extra revenue...
Good point. I once saw a guy throw his butt out on the east beltway and when I came back 15 minutes later, the entire embankment was in flames.
You can't legislate common sense.
Quote from: coredumped on April 01, 2016, 02:29:29 PM
Meh, I'd prefer they ticket people throwing cigarettes out the window.
Seconded on the cigarettes -- drives me nuts, though I'm not against them ticketing people who are creating unsafe situations -- on the other hand, the people you find in chronic jaywalking areas like where spuwho is describing, would probably rather be doing something else.
I always slow down at the stretch of main street for a few blocks south of the MLK overpass because I know there will probably be people darting in and out of traffic crossing to/from the BP/Family Dollar and the restaurants on either side of the road.
I've also tried to stop for people in the new (ok 2 or 3 years old) marked crosswalks all along Main, and am invariably waved on by the pedestrian as someone flies around me in the adjacent lane... there is a serious lack or trust/respect between pedestrians and motorists.
At the town center I'm pretty sure people go from driving, not yielding to pedestrians, to walking across the TC, crossing streets acting indignant if cars don't stop for them.
It's the backup plan to fund the pension if the sales tax extension doesn't go through...
Hopefully they pull back around 7PM when the downtown streets become desolate. Waiting for a white hand when there is not an oncoming car for several blocks is preposterous.
I would be more worried if this were St. Johns County. JSO, for the most part, seem to have a lot on their plates and work hard.
A notice from my building:
QuoteWe have been advised that the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will be actively enforcing laws relating to pedestrian crossing citywide over the next week. This enforcement effort is part of a larger initiative that aims to reduce pedestrian fatalities in Jacksonville. Fines for citations will begin at $114. Details on applicable pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular statutes can be viewed here.
Whether You're Driving, Walking or Cycling –
PAY ATTENTION. READ THE SIGNS. LEARN THE RULES.
When Driving –
Drivers: BE ALERT & PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED
• Watch out for pedestrians darting into traffic or crossing in places other than a crosswalk.
• Yield to pedestrians, even if they don't have the right-of-way.
• Remember to pass or follow cyclists with AT LEAST a 3 feet barrier. F.S. 316.083(1)
• STOP before the crosswalk when turning right on red.
• Use your side and rear view mirrors often. Use turn signals to indicate lane changes.
• Be a defensive driver and watch out for other drivers who do NOT obey the rules of the road.
• Be smart when using devices. Eliminate distractions when driving.
When Walking –
Pedestrians: ALWAYS USE THE CROSSWALKS & SIDEWALKS
• When there is a sidewalk you are not allowed, by law, to be walking in the roadway.
• When a sidewalk is not available, pedestrians should walk facing traffic and along the shoulder or edge of the roadway. Do not walk in the roadway if you are
impaired or taking medication.
• Crossing in between intersections is called "jaywalking". It is illegal and the most common violation committed by citizens. This violation accounts for many
crashes and fatalities in Florida.
• Remember if no crosswalk exists: "Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at
an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway." F.S. 316.130(10)
• Always LOOK BEFORE CROSSING the road. Push the pedestrian crossing button at signalized intersections to get a "WALK" signal. Without the "WALK" signal,
you will not get the extra time needed to cross safely. IMPORTANT: You must obey the pedestrian traffic signal – you don't automatically have the right-of-
way at signalized intersections.
When Cycling –
Cyclists: KNOW THE RULES
• A bicyclist must obey all traffic controls, signals and all related Florida statutes. Bicycles are considered vehicles.
• When riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, a bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
• "A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and is fastened securely upon the passenger's
head by a strap and that meets the federal safety standard for bicycle helmets..." F.S. 316.2065(3)(d)
• Bicycles operated between sunset and sunrise must "be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet
to the front and a lamp and reflector on the rear each exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear." F.S. 316.2065(7)
• "Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then
existing and shall ride within a single lane." F.S. 316.2065(6)
FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD
Remember all these important traffic laws and safety tips when driving, walking or cycling.
We ALL have a responsibility to be more careful and to know the rules of the road in order
to be safe. Don't forget to WEAR A SEAT BELT for every car ride. It is the law and may help
prevent serious injury or even death.
Quote from: coredumped on April 01, 2016, 02:29:29 PM
Meh, I'd prefer they ticket people throwing cigarettes out the window.
I guess JSO is preparing for the red light cameras to come down and need extra revenue...
Although the fear of government revenue efforts is the boogeyman to libertarians, I think the issue is better defined as saving a bucket of money spent on exhaustive traffic homicide investigations, rather than making a few pennies on pedestrian tickets..
Quote from: spuwho on April 01, 2016, 01:55:34 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on April 01, 2016, 01:41:07 PM
Just to let those know who may be interested, I was told that JSO is going to start handing out $114 tickets to jaywalkers this Monday. This will apply citywide.
I wonder how they will enforce this in St Johns Town Center?
Those are official city streets running through there.
They really need to enforce it on Beach at St John's Bluff. People from the long term stay rooms (Intown Suites) jaywalk to get to the ABC liquor store for booze, Walgreens for meds and Winn Dixie for food. 5 people have died trying to jaywalk across there.
The interior streets of the TC are privately owned.
Quote from: thelakelander on April 01, 2016, 01:41:07 PM
Just to let those know who may be interested, I was told that JSO is going to start handing out $114 tickets to jaywalkers this Monday. This will apply citywide.
Visit Jacksonville!
4/4/16 Free Ethics Training class 5 pm. city hall. Open to the Public. Walk straight. Don't be late.
Quote from: Noone on April 01, 2016, 08:14:37 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on April 01, 2016, 01:41:07 PM
Just to let those know who may be interested, I was told that JSO is going to start handing out $114 tickets to jaywalkers this Monday. This will apply citywide.
Visit Jacksonville!
4/4/16 Free Ethics Training class 5 pm. city hall. Open to the Public. Walk straight. Don't be late.
Is Kim Scott the lead speaker?
Here's the key statute reference
If no crosswalk exists: "Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at
an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway." F.S. 316.130(10)
Basically it is a judgement call as to how far a marked crosswalk is away is considered too far. Surely pedestrians won't walk 1/4 or 1/2 mile out of their way, but what about 200 feet? The main thing is, if a pedestrian crosses at an unmarked location and causes a vehicle to slow down, the pedestrian is at fault. This is why many drivers in Florida are not cited when hitting (and often killing) pedestrians.
Wait... you mean this isn't an April fool's post?
Isn't it ironic that to prevent pedestrian and cyclist deaths, they are going after pedestrians and cyclists. While jaywalking is dangerous and many people don't follow the rules, the efforts seem targeted at the wrong group of people.
Where are the efforts to force developers to build sidewalks? Where are the efforts to enforce speed limits on boulevards like Beach and Southside? People go 25-30 over the speed limit all the time. Where are the efforts to fix broken walk signals and make them longer than 15 seconds? Where are the efforts to target drivers who don't yield to pedestrians when turning right or left when pedestrians have a walk signal? Where are the efforts to incorporate safer crosswalks near where people live and work? The only one I can think of would be the recent sidewalks installed on Southside by the Avenues.
Leave it to Jacksonville to discourage walking. It isn't like we are unhealthy, obese and diabetic. ::)
I'd like to know if JSO is going to start ticketing speeders and those who blow through red lights downtown. JTA buses are some of the worst offenders.
"Jaywalking" is an offensive term.
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/07/origin-of-the-term-jaywalking/
Quote from: Kerry on April 02, 2016, 09:49:55 PM
"Jaywalking" is an offensive term.
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/07/origin-of-the-term-jaywalking/
So offensive that none of us knew what it meant! ;D
This is a direct outgrowth of our 'Crosswalk Coalition,' something that our readers (and officers) were unknowingly a big part of. After the fuss we started about the insane lack of crosswalks and bus stop conditions at St. Augustine Road and Galacia we got about 75% of what we asked for in front of a large retirement community. What we didn't get, and still don't have is a proper crosswalk connecting the two bus stops on St. Augustine Road.
Quote....We beg to differ with those who would institute such a rule, consideration needs to go into EVERY bus stop, with a carefully thought out idea of who will use it and how it will be used. For example at this stop, St. Augustine Road is a fast 4 lane 'speedway' with a fairly long distance between stop lights. As a result the seniors and handicapped are forced into a deadly game of 'Frogger' every time they cross to catch those southbound buses. A cross walk, with a yellow diamond sign with a yellow flasher would at least notify drivers that people are trying to cross this busy street. A shelter on the southbound side as well as at least one at Old Kings and Galicia...
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-sep-remember-this-jta-councilwoman-boyer-get-it-right
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=16939.0
Angry as hell, after a death predicted on these pages, I took this to the city, Lori Boyer and a number of other councilpersons immediately 'signed on' as did virtually every agency in Northeast Florida. Meetings were held, maps drawn, deaths counted, injuries counted, roads marked and hot spots identified. If you want to live, for example, stay off of 103Rd, Lem Turner or University for example. JTA is onboard to reconsider some of its mid-block bus stops which do nothing more than encourage darting across the road. JSO joined us from day one and Chief Cook added valuable support. There is simply no reason for us to be mowing down our citizenry in order to make it to the bakery on time.
We are also looking into LED crosswalks, LED warning signs, additional painted crosswalks and I would hope our archaic laws which favor vehicles over people. If we don't lose momentum our Crosswalk Coalition stands to change the number in Jacksonville, Please, Please, volunteer, get involved, add your voice. The more eyes we have on the roads the better we can find the hot-spots and make corrections.
I thought this was ridiculous until I took Beach Blvd out to Jax beach a couple times this weekend. There were a few people darting across beach near St John's bluff each time I drove by, including at night. They are tempting fate each time they dart across in front of traffic.
Much of it might indeed be downtown, JSO Chief Cook's territory when all of this was being discussed. She told the group that downtown accounts for an overwhelming number of injury accidents, vehicle v pedestrian, but not deaths. Deaths are scattered all about town but as I recall Beach, Atlantic, Dunn, Lem Turner, University, 103Rd accounted for more than their share. This is a very serious problem, depending on which week you pull numbers from, we consistently rank number 2-4 in the nation in vehicle v pedestrian fatalities.
The fault for this is pretty well divided between:
Lack of driver education and awareness
Lack of marked crosswalks either painted or with signage.
Lack of lit crosswalks either street lighting or L.E.D. in pavement lighting
Lack of flashing warnings on blind crosswalks or occupied crosswalks
Lack of traffic controlled crosswalks either full signaled time controlled crossings or on demand pedestrian activated
Right or left turns on red in downtown without a pedestrian delay.
Bus stops that straddle the street without crosswalks
Mid-Block bus stops
Uncovered bus stops where the stop is busy and shelter is a long way off forcing people to run for cover in bad weather
Freeway-like speeds on many arterial roadways even in congested business areas.
Sparse use of 'Speed Tables' (as opposed to speed bumps or humps)
Lack of enforcement of bicycle rules of the road (running lights and stops)
Quote from: Captain Zissou on April 04, 2016, 01:05:38 PM
I thought this was ridiculous until I took Beach Blvd out to Jax beach a couple times this weekend. There were a few people darting across beach near St John's bluff each time I drove by, including at night. They are tempting fate each time they dart across in front of traffic.
Beach has 3 chronic pedestrian accident zones, all within a short distance of each other.
- Between the Pottsburg Post Office & the Beach Boulevard Flea Market, worse on Saturday afternoons
- People crossing from Intown Suites @ I-295 to ABC Liquors at St Johns Bluff (or coming back)
- People cross from the Reserve Apartments (next to Alhambra) to reach the Mi Pueblo Grocery
Beach also has a chronic motorcycle accident zone just west of St John's Bluff at the light with Cortez.
I have seen 3 motorcyclists killed at Beach & Cortez, and about 5 other motorcyclists have died there. None of them ( as far as I can tell or read) were the motorcyclist's fault. It is usually caused by people changing lanes to avoid the left turn backup at Cortez to get into McDonalds/WinnDixie and they don't see the motocyclist in the right lane. The others were caused by people blowing through the light at St John's Bluff and rear ending the stopped biker at Cortez where the light was red.
Quote from: spuwho on April 04, 2016, 02:29:59 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on April 04, 2016, 01:05:38 PM
I thought this was ridiculous until I took Beach Blvd out to Jax beach a couple times this weekend. There were a few people darting across beach near St John's bluff each time I drove by, including at night. They are tempting fate each time they dart across in front of traffic.
Beach has 3 chronic pedestrian accident zones, all within a short distance of each other.
- Between the Pottsburg Post Office & the Beach Boulevard Flea Market, worse on Saturday afternoons
- People crossing from Intown Suites @ I-295 to ABC Liquors at St Johns Bluff (or coming back)
- People cross from the Reserve Apartments (next to Alhambra) to reach the Mi Pueblo Grocery
Beach also has a chronic motorcycle accident zone just west of St John's Bluff at the light with Cortez.
I have seen 3 motorcyclists killed at Beach & Cortez, and about 5 other motorcyclists have died there. None of them ( as far as I can tell or read) were the motorcyclist's fault. It is usually caused by people changing lanes to avoid the left turn backup at Cortez to get into McDonalds/WinnDixie and they don't see the motocyclist in the right lane. The others were caused by people blowing through the light at St John's Bluff and rear ending the stopped biker at Cortez where the light was red.
Seems to me that the pedestrian and motorcycle accidents are symptoms of other problems. Ticketing pedestrians is trying to solve the problem by attacking the symptom (and the victims) instead of addressing the underlying cause(s).
I'm not saying people should jaywalk, but it's not like Florida is known for being very pedestrian-friendly. It sucks enough being a pedestrian in Jacksonville. No need to add insult to injury.
In New England it is common to find on-demand signalized crossings for pedestrians, even if a traffic light is relatively close. This would help on some of the roads mentioned above where signals are far apart to promote better traffic flow. Another design you see in New England area is that roads designed as fast access roads, but go through commercial areas (such as Beach and Atlantic), have median barriers that prohibited pedestrian crossing except at signals. Left turns are only at traffic lights. I believe that middle turn lanes have provided convenience, but at the price of more fender benders and pedestrian accidents.
If there's anyplace where it should be OK to walk midblock, its Jacksonville (and especially the most pedestrian-hostile parts of it). If you are at a light on San Jose Blvd., you are at risk from drivers turning at high speeds in all directions. If you cross mid-block, it is sometimes (depending on traffic congestion, existence of medians etc) actually safer because you only have to look in one direction while crossing.
For my thoughts on the broader issue see http://www.planetizen.com/node/67289
Thanks for the link lewyn. I noticed a pretty decent article from 2012 in your story's replies:
QuoteThe Invention of Jaywalking
The forgotten history of how the auto industry won the right of way for cars.
SARAH GOODYEAR
It happened again the other night.
This time, the driver of a Jaguar traveling down 42nd Street in Manhattan struck another car and lost control, flipping onto the sidewalk and striking several pedestrians. Amazingly, given that this is one of the most crowded parts of town, no one was killed. Less amazingly, given the New York Police Department's general approach toward car-pedestrian or car-bicycle crashes, the driver will apparently not face any criminal charges.
Despite remarkable recent gains in pedestrian safety – thanks in part to design changes aimed at slowing down drivers – cars still jump the curb nearly every day. Drivers who kill or maim pedestrians with their vehicles are still only rarely treated as criminals in New York, as long as they are not drunk and do not flee the scene. Even that is sometimes not enough to merit serious charges.
At the beginning of the 20th century, traffic deaths – particularly the deaths of children – drew enormous attention.
Twenty years ago, an out-of-control driver plowed through New York's Washington Square Park, killing 5 people and injuring 27 others. That horrific incident caused a public outcry and galvanized advocates in what has become known as the livable streets movement. But the driver, a 74-year-old woman, was not charged with any crime.
It wasn't always like this. Browse through New York Times accounts of pedestrians dying after being struck by automobiles prior to 1930, and you'll see that in nearly every case, the driver is charged with something like "technical manslaughter." And it wasn't just New York. Across the country, drivers were held criminally responsible when they killed or injured people with their vehicles.
So what happened? And when?
According to Peter Norton, an assistant professor at the University of Virginia and the author of Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City, the change is no accident (so to speak). He has done extensive research into how our view of streets was systematically and deliberately shifted by the automobile industry, as was the law itself.
Full article: http://www.citylab.com/commute/2012/04/invention-jaywalking/1837/
How about paying attention those cars that continually do not stop at the circle at the Landing end of Laura for pedestrians . I see it every day, or the cars that block the intersection at Laura and Union at 5p . Always somebody blocking the intersection or running the red light. This coming from a daily bike commuter.
Quote from: dmac on April 06, 2016, 06:41:59 AM
How about paying attention those cars that continually do not stop at the circle at the Landing end of Laura for pedestrians . I see it every day, or the cars that block the intersection at Laura and Union at 5p . Always somebody blocking the intersection or running the red light. This coming from a daily bike commuter.
The problems with pedestrians in front of the Landing is that they try to cross in the circle instead of the crosswalks before the circle. Crossing in the circle is like walking diagonally across an intersection. I see it every single day because I drive through there at 5pm.
Anyone have any anecdotal input of how Monday went?
I saw a woman being ticketed near the base of the Wells Fargo building.
QuoteDowntown targeted for extra traffic enforcement program
By David Chapman, Staff Writer
As thousands descend upon Downtown for this year's edition of One Spark, it's inevitable there will be at least a few lawbreakers.
Jaywalkers. Bike riders without proper safety equipment. Drivers not yielding to pedestrians.
Minor offenses some might think, but ones the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office the past several months has been taking a stricter approach to as part of its participation in a statewide program.
It's called the "Alert Today Alive Tomorrow" initiative started by the Florida Department of Transportation and University of South Florida.
The program seeks to reduce accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists in high-profile areas throughout some of Florida's most offending counties.
Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=547344
I'm glad to see JSO stepping up enforcement. It is a wonder that Jacksonville doesn't have more (than our already ridiculously high) pedestrian fatalities. Over half of the pedestrians downtown seem like they have no idea what crosswalk signals (or traffic lights) mean--even when walking with small children. Virtually everyday downtown, I see pedestrian step into oncoming traffic without even looking.
Again, every day, at least one pedestrian will step in front of me right as the light turns green (and their crosswalk signal has been red for 30 seconds)--fine, I'll wait for them. But then they step into the next lane (think State, Union, Main, etc.) where a car that has had light priority for several blocks is going 40-50 mph and cannot see the pedestrian until he/she steps out from in front of my vehicle.
Also, I routinely see pedestrians strolling across the street in the face of oncoming traffic, forcing several lanes of traffic to slow down or stop completely for them. This is not a real bother to me, but I can see how it could antagonize many drivers into not respecting pedestrians even in situations where the pedestrian has the right-of-way.
Again, it's a miracle that we do not have more pedestrian deaths in Jacksonville. I'm all in favor of walkable urban environments, but I have never been to a city where pedestrians are so ignorant (or uncaring) about traffic laws and basic safety.