WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A HUMAN LIFE?

What is the value of human life? What has happened to our society when we now consider statistical data as the only criteria to provide safety for our citizens?

Thanks to the News Sun
(Sebring, FL) for writing an editorial to support my concern and others regarding the lack of a traffic signal at the new Avon Park Wal-Mart. This was based upon my own near collision with a vehicle attempting to go across all four lanes.

More reports have been shared in other letters to the editor citing numerous accidents and injuries have occurred at both entrances and exits to the AP Wal-Mart. Now, we had our first fatality at the entrance at Palmetto St. when a pedestrian attempted to cross the four lanes apparently going to Wal-Mart.

More fatalities are happening at or near these intersections. How many more serious accidents, resulting in injuries and fatalities, will it take to get the FDOT to take action?

What is the value of human life?

I wrote a letter to Stephanie Kopelousos, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Others also wrote or called to express their concerns and the urgent need for a traffic signal to be installed.

I received a call and subsequent email letter from Stanley M. Cann, PE, District Secretary, District One, FDOT. He stated the following:

    “The department is in agreement the traffic signal should be constructed by Wal-Mart at the time the location meets the minimum requirements for a traffic signal. We have included a condition on the access permit for Wal-Mart to design and construct the traffic signal when the location meets the requirements.

    “We took the initiative to perform the traffic study in the peak season of 2009 and determined the traffic exiting at either Palmetto Street or at Shop 16 Road do not meet the minimum requirements for a traffic signal.

    “The intersection of US 27 and Shop 16 Road has the potential to warrant a traffic signal as traffic levels increase along the roadway. We will schedule a study at the intersection of US 27 and Shop 16 Road in the next peak season (2011) to determine if the traffic Data has increased enough to justify a traffic signal.”


I asked Mr. Cann, "Does it matter that a fatality occurred recently at one of these intersections?” He responded that there will always be accidents and even fatalities even if a traffic signal is installed at that location.

I was alarmed and concerned that such an attitude prevails at that level of our state administration. What has happened to our society when we now consider statistical data as the only criteria to provide safety for our citizens who simply wish to turn in or out of the AP Wal-Mart without making their lives at risk?

I shared my concern again recently with the Avon Park City Council and they, too, expressed concern for the citizens. One commented, “How many fatalities will it take for FDOT to take action to install a traffic signal?”

May God have mercy on us all.

(This column appeared in the News Sun, Sebring,FL 5/10)