Task force makes pedestrian safety recommendations for Delaware Route 1

The Pedestrian Safety Task Force has developed a list of suggested improvements aimed at making the Route 1 corridor in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach safer for pedestrians.

The group was developed last year under, House Resolution 22, following an increase in the number of pedestrian accidents.

According to a Delaware State Police review, there were 14 injuries and five fatalities between 2011 through August 2013, the majority occurring after dark.

State House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, a Democrat representing Rehoboth Beach, chaired the task force. “Since my time as a State Police Troop 7 commander, I have seen the steady increase of traffic along Route 1 and the increased danger that pedestrians and cyclists face every day trying to travel along the road,” said Schwartzkopf.

The task force recommended increasing lighting, adding pedestrian signals and crosswalks and making road and sidewalk improvements.

“The task force had to deal with the challenge of improving safety for pedestrians without causing huge traffic backups and working within the existing roadway,” said Schwartzkopf. “But we determined that there are several steps we can take to help people travel safely along Route 1 and cut down on the number of accidents.”

Last year the State Office of Highway Safety launched a statewide awareness campaign following dozens of pedestrian deaths over the past three years.