Comments on: FDOT Details Highway 29, Highway 97 Traffic Signal Plans, Crash Stats

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 05:50:37 +0000

The speed limit is already 55 mph from Fran’s Diner and North up to the TT. But does any one care?
Today for instance, I was in the area slowing to turn in for gas. People were riding my bumper, flashing their lights, then giving me the “bird” as they went past.
You don’t need a light. You need manners!

By: Joyce

Joyce — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 16:02:06 +0000

Are they going to lower the speed limit in that area? It seems to me that would help, too.

By: Bell

Bell — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 14:00:49 +0000

If the state and or county knows that the intersection is not safe or is dangerous, then why not put a patrol vehicle there with lights flashing 24/7 until the light is installed? I see deputies and FHP in the Molino area all the time sitting in the church parking lots or shade tree’s. It seems like negligence on the part of the state or county for not doing something so easy that is well with in their power to save lives. During Halloween I could see the lights from the patrol vehicle in front of the church long before I ever saw the caution light at Tom Thumb. (Traveling from the north)

By: bama

bama — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 12:13:26 +0000

no lights is going to stop drivers daring need to be in front of the line,, Untill drivers stop ,look and judge safty they will continue to Stop on red and pull out or do a rolling stop any way,, I know the young man from Nokomis and am not gonna judge him BUT as it said ,He had a blocked view and decided to pull out anyway,, 1 more thing I do not believe a 16 year old shoud been allowed that far on his own,, I know my child would not been allowed to leave the area we live in ,,Parents tighten up o driving restictions too

By: sherry

sherry — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 04:52:36 +0000

It’s not just coming out of Tom thumb. Traffic coming n going to interstate 65. People going to n from casino. If it only saves one life it could be someone u love next.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 18:34:27 +0000

@Crash Helmet

Nobody said a signal would cease all accidents. Less accidents would occur due to a more regulated flow of traffic through the intersection. The fatal accident last Friday night could have probably been avoided had there been a traffic signal. People will still run the light and accidents will still happen, but it’s ignorant to say that a traffic signal would not help make the intersection safer.

By: Tracy Flota

Tracy Flota — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 18:31:48 +0000

I agree with Jane, 100%. For the one’s of us that live, drive by, or drive through this intersection almost daily, those stats are hard to believe. I think that most of the north end of the county look on northescambia.com or talk to each other daily about the accidents at “The Tom Thumb”.
So if the Crash Analysis Reporting System is only reporting “Crashes”…that’s a “Crash” every 49 days for the past 5 years at this intersection. That’s horrible its taken this long for something to be done.

By: jeeperman

jeeperman — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:28:35 +0000

These are two state roads. The state has jurisdiction and responsibility for them, not the county.
Even though the county is chipping in county tax dollars, we the people are still at the mercy of what the state will do.

By: Crash Helmet

Crash Helmet — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:21:27 +0000

So, after the signal is installed and wrecks continue to happen at that intersection, who will be to blame then?

By: JT

JT — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 14:45:40 +0000

Guided dashed turn lines, no left turn from Tom Thumb, extended medians, and raised concrete barriers in the Tom Thumb Parking Lot will help this intersection greatly. Nothing will rid of all crashes but this will greatly decrease the number of the crashes at that intersection.