Summertime in Destin is all about beautiful beach days, fishing voyages, great seafood, boating, and entertainment. But summer in a busy tourist town does not come without its risks.
One area of concern for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Destin, and the Florida Department of Transportation is pedestrian safety along Highway 98.
The issue is real. In February 2018, a Pensacola man was struck by a car and killed while crossing Highway 98 near Stahlman Ave. A month later, another individual suffered the same fate as he tried to cross from one side of the highway to the other. In August, a man died after stepping out in front of a car. In all three cases, the fatalities happened at night, and were not at any of the city’s designated crosswalks.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office wants to encourage all our residents and visitors to take advantage of the five clearly marked, well-lit crosswalks available along Highway 98 from just east of the Marler Bridge to just west of the Silver Dunes Condominium’s driveway.
For pedestrians, it’s imperative you push the button to activate the traffic signal. Don’t enter the crosswalk while the light is yellow. Wait until it is red at all traffic stops, and be sure to remain alert and scan for approaching cars as you cross.
It’s just as important that drivers along Highway 98 stay vigilant. When that signal turns yellow, prepare to stop. When it turns red, you should stop behind the stop bar and stay there until the signal turns green and any pedestrians have moved out of the crosswalk.
Keep in mind, the term “pedestrian” includes persons in a wheelchair, on skates, or on a skateboard. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for bicyclists as well.
Following these simple rules can save lives. It’s easy to get distracted by all the activity along Highway 98, but both distracted walkers and distracted drivers are a dangerous combination.
By paying attention and following a few simple rules, we can prevent tragedies and focus on enjoying one of the country’s top communities and most popular destinations!
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