Time to Act and Not Talk

Over the years, I’ve always found it to be most productive if when a problem is in evidence that we suggest solutions, rather than just complain about something. That doesn’t mean the “solution” you might propose is perfect, but it may at least provide a starting point for the potential resolution of the issue. 

As many of you know, I’ve owned here on Marco since 1986 and made Marco Island my permanent residence since 1990. This is a great place to live, but I’m not telling you anything you don’t probably know by now. Yes, we’ve seen changes over the years, but I’m not sure any community hasn’t, especially here in Florida. 

I would be fooling myself, as would you, to believe things were destined to stay the way they were in 1986 when I first came to the island. I always remember sitting in my dad’s barbershop in the early 60s and listening to his customers lament about the changes they had seen in our own little community over the previous 35 years. They would be reminiscing about the late 1930s before America had entered World War II, when many of them went off to serve a higher purpose and were now living in a community that didn’t look the same as when they grew up. 

Today, we do live in a different community than what we had when I first made Marco my permanent home in 1990. It is different than when the Mackle Brothers turned over the first spade of dirt to begin developing the island. The issue I’ll speak to you about today is one which many of you have discussed with me over the last several months and it deals with traffic and safety. 

I’m not a traffic engineer or an expert on planning issues, but anyone who isn’t blind can see that traffic has exploded on the island and continues to get worse with each passing day. The challenges of driving, biking or walking have become a major issue and require a focus on how to deal with the impact on the quality of life that we enjoy. 

In about four weeks, we will see a reduction in the effects of our “seasonal” influx of residents and visitors. We see that increase every year and it lasts about five months, but we are experiencing more and more traffic even during the “off-season” period. 

Cars are getting safer due to technology and traffic–related deaths have leveled out. However, the number of fatalities involving pedestrians and bicyclists continue to trouble law enforcement and emergency responders. 

Speeding, drug and alcohol–impaired driving, distracted driving, and failure to wear seat belts all continue to contribute to motor vehicle fatalities even as vehicles and roadways become safer. Distracted driving is seen as the most common cause of road accidents in the United States and accounts for more crashes than speeding, drunk driving and other causes. 

This year I have personally witnessed more incidents of drivers running red lights on the island and just north of here on 951. Three fatalities have been recorded on the island itself, bringing heartbreak to so many families. 

Are we in that much of a rush on a 6 by 4-mile island to get where we are going? Is it worth an injury to yourself or others or even death to shave a minute off your commute? 

Because we are a relatively flat barrier island, we provide a wonderful opportunity for residents and guests to enjoy bicycling around the island for exercise or just the enjoyment of being out in our wonderful climate. Our Bike Path Committee has done a wonderful job of lobbying for grants to provide bike lanes around the island.  

However, those that ride on those pathways or along the other roadways on the island which may not have bike paths should remember they are required to obey all traffic controls and signals. This isn’t a suggestion, it is Florida State Law under Section 316.2065 of the Florida State Statutes, regardless of whether traffic is present at those intersections. 

If you are riding on one of our “shared–use pathways,” or sidewalks and crosswalks, Florida Law treats you the same as a pedestrian. In that case, you must adhere to Florida laws that pertain to walkers, and you have the same rights as them. However, the bicyclist must yield to pedestrians and call out before passing them. 

Children 15 or under must wear a helmet and adults are encouraged to do so. 

The use of headlights and taillights are REQUIRED if you ride after sunset and before sunrise. The headlight must be visible from at least 500 feet and the taillight and reflector from at least 600 feet. Many of our service staff working around the island ride bikes as their form of transportation to and from work and many times they’ll be seen not obeying this requirement. 

I said earlier in this commentary that I prefer to suggest a solution, rather than just complain about a problem. The issue of traffic, accidents and injuries are a problem on Marco. Enforcement of those statutory requirements is one of the answers, not one that everyone is going to like, but it is a solution. 

So many times, we pass laws and ordinances and put them on the books, only to forget we now have a responsibility to ENFORCE those requirements to make them effective, education alone or cute jingles or slogans are not the answer. 

We chose to pay the price a few years ago to create our own police department to meet the increasing needs for providing Marco with a safe environment for our residents, guests and visitors. The service received from the county was seen as inadequate for the growing population, resulting in the community stepping up to provide the resources of manpower and capital equipment to do the job and continue to do today.  

It’s time that our council and staff ensure that we do all we can to avoid future tragedies and deal with the issues of traffic enforcement and safety on the island, the need is there, and it is evident to all concerned.