I am writing to address a common misconception that has repeatedly stalled progress on much-needed pedestrian safety measures in our community: the notion that crosswalks require sidewalks on both sides of the road. This claim is not only incorrect but also detrimental to the safety and convenience of our residents.
In Palm Beach County, there are scenarios where the installation of crosswalks is a no-brainer.
There are several instances where the same community facility, like a pool or beach access, is split across the street. Residents, especially the elderly or those with mobility issues, must cross to utilize these common amenities. The argument that these crosswalks cannot be installed due to the absence of sidewalks on both sides is not supported by engineering guidelines or local codes.
Another common situation is where parking lots are located directly across from community facilities. Here, crosswalks are essential for safe pedestrian access from parking to the facility, yet these projects are often tabled with the same unfounded objection.
Let’s look at the facts:
• ADA Accessibility Guidelines (Section 4.2.4) clarify that crosswalks should connect to accessible routes, not necessarily sidewalks. If there’s no sidewalk on one side, a crosswalk can still connect to a path or another form of pedestrian access leading to a facility.
• The Florida Department of Transportation’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Section 3B.18) emphasizes the installation of crosswalks where pedestrian safety would benefit, without mandating sidewalks on both sides.
• Our local Unified Land Development Code under Article 6, does not require sidewalks on both sides for crosswalk installation, but stresses providing safe, convenient and direct pedestrian access.
These guidelines show that the decision to install crosswalks should be based on engineering judgment, focusing on pedestrian safety and access needs rather than a strict interpretation of sidewalk presence.
Our community deserves to have its pedestrian safety prioritized, especially in clear-cut cases where crosswalks are evidently necessary. I urge the local authorities to reconsider their stance on crosswalk installations and look at each case on its merit, ensuring that safety and accessibility are at the forefront of our community’s planning decisions.
Rafael Pineiro
Palmsea Condominium
South Palm Beach
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Opinion: Lit Crosswalks Are the Solution for Our A1A Safety Crisis
Some argue that crosswalks would make our problems worse, claiming they can increase congestion and even accidents. In certain cases, they’ve got a point—on high-speed, multi-lane roads, marked crosswalks without signals can give pedestrians a false sense of security, leading to riskier crossings, while frequent stops might frustrate drivers into rear-end collisions or reckless maneuvers. Studies, like those from the Federal Highway Administration, have flagged this on roads over 35 mph with poor design.
But that’s not our situation on A1A. Here, the speed limit’s a pedestrian-friendly 30 mph, and congestion isn’t an issue—just a steady flow that, during peak hours, leaves residents waiting over a minute to cross. For our community, where over 50% are elderly (65+) and many rely on walkers, that wait isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. Slower walking speeds—down to 3 feet per second for seniors versus 4 for younger adults—mean they’re at drivers’ mercy, hoping for a gap or a stop that doesn’t always come. The recent tragedy at twilight, when a resident was struck and killed, proves visibility and driver awareness are the real culprits, not crosswalk clutter.
A lit crosswalk, paired with a pedestrian-activated signal, flips this script. It doesn’t clog traffic—our road’s flow can handle brief pauses without chaos. It doesn’t invite accidents—data shows lighted crossings cut nighttime pedestrian crashes by over 50% on similar roads. And it directly serves our vulnerable majority: elderly and disabled residents who need more time and certainty to cross safely. Opposing crosswalks here ignores the reality—our steady traffic, low speed, and aging population demand a fix, not a gamble on driver kindness.
We can’t wait for another fatality. DOT should act now. Lit crosswalks aren’t a risk—they’re our lifeline.