The City of Port St. Lucie, FL is using SeeMeFlags to help increase pedestrian safety and visibility at crosswalks. Crosswalk flags are an inexpensive and easy to use tool to help increase pedestrian visibility when crossing the street, especially in rainy weather or at night.
]]>Two new sets of See Me Flags were installed for the crosswalks at the intersection of Little Falls Rd and Ohio St near Nottingham Elementary thanks to the Board of Arlington Youth Lacrosse (AYLC). Many members of the AYLC's Board live near that intersection which has became too familiar with pedestrian accidents including fatalities. In recent years both Jennifer Lawson Bush and most recently Katia Gibbs were killed by moving vehicles near this intersection. See Me Flags Sets were installed at all four corners of the intersection so pedestrians can use them for all four crosswalks regardless of where they are walking.
Arlington resident and Board Member, Hal Sinton, proposed the sponsorship which the Board voted on and approved unanimously at their October meeting. Later Sinton said "I drive through the intersection everyday and I've seen first-hand how dangerous those crosswalks are. Cars speed down Little Falls in both directions and it is difficult to see them from Ohio St without creeping into the intersection. Couple that with the neighborhood foot traffic and all the little kids around the elementary school, the potential for disaster is high as we have seen especially in those crosswalks." Neighborhood residents up and down Little Falls Rd. continue to see increases in commuter traffic resulting from the new traffic patterns created by the tolls on I-66.
Thanks to Missy Simons with Modern Jones for sponsoring a new set of See Me Flags that are now installed at Willamsburg and Ohio in North Arlington. Missy is a local realtor that has noticed the increase in traffic on Willamsburg and wanted to make it safer for pedestrians in the area. "Ever since they changed to tolls on 66 I have noticed that more and more cars are coming down Willamsburg commuting to and from the city during the same time kids are walking to school" said Ms. Simons.
See Me Flags are now installed at two locations on Willamsburg making it a bit safer for pedestrians to get across the busy street. "Here at Modern Jones, we all believe that we have an obligation to making our community safer for not only our clients but all the residents of the neighborhoods where we do business. This is a chance to make a small difference for our clients" added Simons.
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Modern Jones breaks boundaries to offer clients a partnership that goes well beyond a traditional realtor relationship. Instead, Modern Jones stays by your side when navigating all the ups and downs, what-ifs, and whirlwinds when selling or buying and owning a home. This creates a unique experience that is "home made, for you" - perfectly crafted to each individual and the home they are looking to buy or sell. Modern Jones is more than a brokerage, we are home and lifestyle curator... a cheering section... who authentically cares about our clients and their individual experience.
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During the meeting Mike Cantwell, the President of the Yorktown Civic Association, stated that "See Me Flags not only increases awareness for drivers, but the flags also alert pedestrians that they are about to enter a dangerous crossing. The flags also reduce the risks of "distracted walking" by forcing pedestrians to put down their phones while they are carrying the flags." Mike and members of the Yorktown community continue to advocate for measures to improve pedestrian safety. The Yorktown Civic Association plans to install more flags throughout the community.
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For years, citizens in Falls Church City have asked for improvements for the crosswalk at N. West St. + N. Oak St., to no avail. N. West St. is a busy road, with a lot of commuter traffic, while N. Oak leads to Mt. Daniel Elementary School. The result is a lot of drivers who are rushing to and from work, as well as to the school for drop-off and pick-up. Students and parents are also walking to and from the school bus stop and the school.
A few weeks ago, this dangerous intersection created a near-tragic situation when a young girl was struck by a passing car while she was in the crosswalk. Her backpack bore the brunt of impact, and she is thankfully okay... but it was enough for local citizens to again demand action.
Whitney and other concerned neighbors contacted See Me Flags, and in less than one week, See Me Flags were installed at the crosswalk with the blessing of Falls Church City. Now, the crosswalk is a bit safer for the people crossing N. West Street as they head to the bus stop, walk to school, or just take a walk around Falls Church. Another local resident, Meredith Grasso, who has also been pushing for a solution, said, "Crosswalk flags are not the only solution but rather an option to include in an overall solution and one that can be installed quickly."
A six year old was almost hit by a car this morning - the car swiped her backpack, which was enough to pull her out of her mom's hand. They were IN THE CROSSWALK! SO so scary!!-- Whitney Casstevens, Falls Church Resident
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The Ferguson Realty Team has been involved with Arlington real estate for many years. They decided to make walking in their neighborhood a bit safer by sponsoring a set of See Me Flags for the crosswalk at John Marshall and Williamsburg. By doing this they have made it safer for students to walk to and from Williamsburg Middle School as well as just crossing at a very busy intersection.
Thanks again to the Ferguson Realty Team
Many kids walk to and from Nottingham Elementary and Williamsburg Middle School have to cross Little Falls which is a very busy road. There have been multiple tragic accidents recently near that intersection so TDI Homes decided to do something about the issue. They partnered with See Me Flags and sponsored crosswalk flags on all four corners of the intersection to make it safer for walkers. They also added a set at the intersection of Little Falls, Kensington and Yorktown Blvd to make that intersection safer for pedestrians.
Little Falls is used by many commuters and kids walking to school. Keeping kids safe as they walk to school was a big reason that TDI Homes stepped in to help make the streets in Arlington safer.
Thank you TDI Homes!!!
Local residents have been clamoring for years to try and get improvements made to the crosswalk but both Arlington County and the State of Virginia have denied requests to reduce the speed to 25 MPH and put in flashing lights. Hopefully, the new See Me Flags will help making cross the street safer when going to the Westover Beer Garden to meet friend or walking to the Italian Store for a Milano sandwich.
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Thanks to the Shirlington Civic Association (SCA) and the Delancey at the Village of Shirlington for working together to get a new set of crosswalk flags for the neighborhood in Arlington, VA. The building sponsored the new See Me Flag crosswalk set which is near the Delancey apartment building next to the Village of Shirlington helping walkers get across South Arlington Mill Drive. "We hope the flags make everyone safer. This is one of our major pedestrian crossing points. It located between two traffic lights, so Transportation regulations won't allow a flashing light," commented Shirlington Civic Association president Edie Wilson.
Pedestrian safety is a huge issue in Shirlington with so many walkers and this is is one of many improvements that the SCA is working on in the neighborhood. Businesses in the village thrive since there are so many pedestrians so keeping them safe is in everyone's best interest. Wilson added "so many people cross here from Campbell to get to the Nelson Street footbridge over Four Mile Run, the bike and walking path, Shirlington dog park, and Jennie Dean Park. Kids love using the bright flags and it's a great way for them to learn about keeping safe."
Crosswalk Flags Set Sponsored By:
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The first See Me Flags were installed at the intersection of John Marshall Dr and Lee Highway right next to Overlee Pool. The Overlee Community Association tried for years to get better crosswalk signage at the intersection siting kids walking to the pool all summer but both the county and state said "no" so the association sponsored the first set of See Me Flags.
Now, when pedestrians are walking to the pool they can grab a crosswalk flag and feel safe crossing the busy street. See Me Flags Founder, Grant Yoder, said "We got so tired of getting told "NO" by government officials citing one study or another we decided to solve it ourself with a low cost pedestrian safety solution. Kids walking to the pool should not have to worry about getting hit by a car." The Overlee Community Association sponsored the set and plan to maintain them with a fresh set of flags each summer.
See Me Flags Overlee Swimming Pool Location
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