Chicago recently unrolled its pedestrian safety plan, joining
the ranks of cities such as Portland and New York, which have
their own plans for preventing serious pedestrian accidents. The
Chicago plan has 250 recommendations to prevent injuries and
fatalities. Could Fort Lauderdale benefit from a similar plan?
Some of the recommendations in the Chicago policy could help
prevent Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents as well: 1)
Chicanes. Chicanes are extra turns added to a roadway to slow
traffic down. Since in many cases Fort Lauderdale traffic
accidents are caused by speeding, reducing traffic speed can be
a good way to slash the risk of accidents. 2) Pedestrian
islands. In some cases, Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents
occur because a car enters a pedestrian area. Pedestrian islands
keep pedestrians separated from cars and discourage pedestrians
from entering traffic. 3) Midblock curb bumpouts. These narrow
portions of a street to slow traffic, usually by extending the
curb. This is yet another way to red