Comments on: Does The Highway 29, Highway 97 Intersection Need A Red Light?

By: Pineville PI

Pineville PI — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 03:29:52 +0000

I guess I don’t understand, for those in favor of a red light , Please explain the reasoning for a red light. I just can’t see any need for a light. The intersection is simple. The people that can’t pass through this intersection now will be the ones that run the red light and create danger for those that are traveling through the green light assuming they are protected because of a traffic light. A light will create a false sense of safety and will not stop Bonehead Activity!!!!!

By: Buddy

Buddy — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 02:37:51 +0000

People need to get their heads where they belong and pay attention to what they are doing. A red light would make it worse with people trying to out run the light

By: concerned driver

concerned driver — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 02:12:53 +0000

Without question…YES!! I do agree with a lot of these statements, driver error/speed/inattention is causing the majority of accidents on Hwy 29. That being said, this same conversation was had when there was chatter about a light at Kingsfield Rd.
We have adapted to the other lights along 29, we will adapt to one here. It is a dangerous intersection and needs intervention. There are too many turn lanes and crossings to fully navigate safely.
Hwy 29 is our only N/S artery out of the county. We need a “fast lane” or expressway for ease of travel into/out of Pensacola and let the 4 lane be the local artery for moving local traffic.
But then, I don’t have a degree or office in Tallahassee.

By: Ronda

Ronda — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 00:52:11 +0000

No light needed. However, judging by some of the previous comments and by the horrendous driving habits I observe at this intersection EVERY day, better driver education might be in order.

@northendresident for example…the person turning left onto 97 from northbound 29 DOES have the right of way. They are under no obligation to be courteous to a driver who is crossing 29. I cross 29 there on a regular basis and have no trouble as long as I exercise lawful driving habits and patience.

Also wonder why LEO won’t sit at Tom Thumb and ticket drivers who unlawfully travel northbound in the southbound lane of 29 to get to the intersection instead of heading southbound a fraction of a mile to execute a lawful u-turn…oh, wait….I’ve seen Escambia County Sheriff Deputies do the same!!!!!

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 00:38:18 +0000

putting up a light won’t fix stupid. this same argument has been made about hwy 29 and well line rd everytime they have an accident cause someone pulls out in front of someone from either not paying attention or failing miserably at judging the oncoming traffic speed.

By: Wharf Rat

Wharf Rat — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 23:29:46 +0000

I have said this before, and know from experience. If two vehicles run together at an intersection governed by a traffic light, and there are no witnesses, both drivers will say they had the green light, usually. However, if there is a stop sign, you know who has the requirement to yield. The law only requires you to yield, there is nothing in any law that gives you the “right of way.” Failure to use due care is what will cause you heartache and grief in a civil trial.

Now, if you pull up to the red light at this intersection, and you look left and right, and see no traffic, will you go ahead against the light, or, will you sit there and fume, and say “We don’t need no stinking light?” People, use “due care,” and drive safe.

By: Oak Grove Bud

Oak Grove Bud — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 23:10:54 +0000

Yes, go ahead and put up a red light so people can run it like they do the stop signs.

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 23:09:19 +0000

@429SCJ
If you’re judging traffic at 55 mph then you fall into the category of “pay attention”. You can’t just see a car and assume he’s doing the speed limit. You have to pay attention and make decisions based on your judgement.
The accidents will gov through the roof if a light is installed.

By: bill l

bill l — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 22:47:12 +0000

agree with 429scj speed has to slow down to 35-40 with or without a light that is the only way this will be a safer intersection

By: Listen!

Listen! — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 22:37:01 +0000

There’s no need coming on here preaching about road safety, traffic rules, or who’s at fault. People are going to drive how they want to anyway and it won’t stop. They are going to do whatever it takes to get where they need to go and in a hurry too. Even some of the officials around here would run you over, they’ll ride your bumper and fly down hwy 29 doing at least 90 mph with no emergency lights on or nothing. The only thing I can do about it is drive defensively for my passengers and I, ranting won’t do me any good.