In recent years, Central Florida has had the dubious distinction of being one of the deadliest regions in the country for pedestrians. Still, Orange County engineers and planners are working hard to change that narrative.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that accidents involving pedestrians account for nearly 17 percent of all traffic fatalities annually. A whopping 74 percent of these accidents occur without an intersection.
Providing a place where pedestrians can safely cross and, if necessary, take refuge from vehicle traffic can help improve a corridor’s overall safety. According to the Federal Highway Administration, pedestrian refuge islands reduce over half of all pedestrian accidents…