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Health & Fitness

Flashing Crosswalks on Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay

Who wants to save lives with flashing crosswalks?

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the Highway 1 through Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Montara and Moss Beach continues to mount a list of injuries and death.

While this isn't new news to the residents of our towns, being a newbie, I'm shocked by the lack of resolution and abundance of flowers and shrines along the roadside. In fact, over my 5 months of commuting up and down Highway 1, I've already seen two pedestrian accidents, right after they happened. Unheard of, right?

The first one that I spotted took place on December 9, when Moss Beach resident Cathy Silva was found . The second took place just yesterday — when a 15-year-old girl walking to school was . Both took place on Highway 1 near the same intersection — at Virginia St. in Moss Beach.

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I'm not going to ask how we can get something done, because many, smarter folks before me have certainly tried. The only thing I can suggest, is we just do it ourselves.

Flashing crosswalks may be a first way to minimize the pedestrian accidents. How much are they? About $25,000 including a power supply (from what I can find in a one minute Google search). There are also some powered by a photovoltaic panel and a small rechargeable battery (see photo). I recommend reading this Q&A from the city of Kirkland, Wash. in regards to installing and maintenance of flashing crosswalks throughout their city. They've already done all the homework for us. http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Public_Works/Transportation___Streets/Flashing_Crosswalks.htm 

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So, $1 from 25,000 people... Sounds actually possible. Now, who wants to organize the volunteers to start fundraising? We may be able to get a few large donations from generous residents with a sponsorship program in which they are physically recognized on the new crosswalk site.

Who needs to approve it?  Let's let the flashing crosswalk company help us out with this part. They've done this before with cities nationwide and probably know how to get it done most quickly. One call to these guys and they could get the ball rolling and let us know the hoops we would need to jump through.

Ok, who's in?

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