Safeguarding our streets: We must prioritize lives on Brevard roadways | Opinion
As the Executive Director of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), I see firsthand the incredible growth of Brevard County. Our community thrives on innovation, exploration, and a spirit of progress. Yet, from the bustling tourist corridors to quiet neighborhood streets, it is our transportation network that remains the heart of our community. It connects us to work, school, loved ones, and all the unique experiences our region offers.
A TPO is created to look at the big picture of transportation planning — helping to assist in the communication and coordination among the different transportation modes (air, sea, space, rail) and municipalities. We adopt long-range plans and short-range programs for future transportation improvements that require state and federal funding, and we prioritize projects that will enhance the quality of life and economic development on the Space Coast.
Infrastructure improvements and traffic management strategies remain a cornerstone of the TPO's mission, however, with our county’s growth comes an important responsibility — ensuring the safety of everyone who uses our roadways. Brevard County is a vibrant community, but the sheer number of lives lost and forever impacted on our roadways casts a shadow on our sunny days. In fact, from 2018-2022, 2,744 people died or were seriously injured on our roadways. That is nearly the same number of passengers who sail on one cruise ship (3,000 people).
The sobering truth: these deaths are not inevitable accidents — they are preventable crashes. That’s why, in 2020, our organization adopted Vision Zero, a data-driven outlook acknowledging that the only acceptable number of traffic fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways is zero. To date, all 16 local municipalities, Brevard County, and the Brevard County School Board have adopted resolutions supporting Vision Zero.
To save lives, we need a fundamental shift in how we think about transportation safety: acknowledging the shared responsibility between our system designers (those who design and operate the roads) and our road users (who are expected to travel our roads safely). With this in mind, we have developed an Action Plan that emphasizes several key areas:
Engineering for Safety: Infrastructure plays a crucial role in promoting safe travel. We are working with local and state agencies to encourage safety improvements at high-crash corridors and intersections. This could include measures like dedicated turn lanes, improved signage, and pedestrian crosswalk enhancements. Additionally, we are exploring the implementation of new technologies like advanced traffic signal systems.
Educating Road Users: Education and awareness campaigns are essential for ensuring that everyone can get around safely. We partner with law enforcement agencies and community organizations to educate about new devices and promote safe road user behaviors.
Encouraging Alternative Transportation: The TPO actively promotes transportation options like public bus systems, ride-sharing services, and dedicated bike lanes. Making it easier and safer for people to walk, bike, or use public transit helps reduce traffic congestion and creates a more sustainable transportation system. We are also working closely with the City of Cocoa and Brightline to help identify the intermodal connections needed for the future Cocoa Passenger Rail Station.
More: Merritt Island motorcyclist killed in late-night crash at U.S. 1-Pineda Causway
Shared Responsibility: Creating a safe transportation system is not just the responsibility of the TPO or government agencies. It requires a collective effort from all members of our community. Here are some ways you can contribute:
Slow Down: Speeding is a major factor in fatal crashes. Obeying the speed limit gives you more time to react and reduces the severity of an impact.
Put Down the Distractions: Distracted driving is anything that takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, or your mind off the task of driving. Focus on the road, only.
Plan Ahead: Leave enough time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
Designate a Driver: If you've been drinking, don't get behind the wheel.
Buckle Up: Every single ride, every single person. Seat belts are your best defense in a crash.
Be Patient: Traffic congestion is frustrating, but aggressive driving only makes it worse. Stay calm, cool, and collected behind the wheel.
Choose Safety: Support community initiatives that improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, promote traffic calming measures in neighborhoods, and encourage responsible driving habits.
We need to have a real conversation about our priorities as a community. Do we value convenience above safety? Are we willing to accept a certain level of risk on our roads that may potentially end someone’s life?
The answer should be a resounding no.
We must move beyond the notion that traffic fatalities and serious injuries are accepted, normal occurrences — we need to recognize that deaths on our roadways are a public health issue.
Every trip we take, every decision we make behind the wheel, carries a weight.
Think about the 2,744 people we lost in the last five years. These are not just numbers; they represent stories cut short, families shattered, and futures stolen.
Let's move forward with the understanding that every life on our roads is precious. Let’s prioritize safety over convenience. The Space Coast has always been a place that pushes boundaries and reaches for the stars. Let's extend that spirit to safeguarding our most valuable resource — our people. Together, we can make safety the cornerstone of our transportation network and ensure that every journey is a safe one.
Georganna Gillette is the Executive Director, Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: In Brevard County, we need to change how we think about road safety
