UPDATE: Speed Limit Reduced Along S.R. A1A After Child’s Death

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on May 6, 2020

After a tremendous amount of energy and effort was expended by a community located within Indian Harbor Beach, lawmakers have finally agreed to lower the speed limit along a stretch of State Road A1A as well as install additional warning signs and flashers on the road in order to provide extra safety for pedestrians in the area. The move follows a coordinated effort put forward by the community around a family who lost their 12-year-old daughter in a fatal pedestrian accident after she was struck by a car and killed while attempting to cross the road.

We have followed this story for quite some time and wrote about the incident shortly after it first happened. On December 22nd, a 12-year-old child was out with her parents and walking on a sidewalk bordering State Road A1A when she reached a crosswalk. After activating the pedestrian flashers, the child began to cross the road. A car being driven by an elderly woman was passing through the area and although the woman slowed the car when she saw the activated flashers she never fully stopped the vehicle. When the car struck the child it did so with enough force to inflict fatal injuries.

Earlier this year, the woman behind the wheel of the car was exonerated for any wrongdoing in the accident. Instead of seeking restitution within the court system, the family worked with community members, lawmakers, and the Brevard County Commission to institute permanent changes within the crossing area along State Road A1A. Early in May, the results of this effort were revealed to be overwhelmingly positive with the speed limit along a portion of the road that stretches from 11th Avenue all the way to Palmetto Avenue being reduced from 40mph to 35mph. A Satellite Beach portion of State Road A1A also saw its speed limit drastically reduced, from 45mph to 35mph.

In addition to the speed limit reduction, the Florida Department of Transportation also added additional flashing lights in 16 locations along the street, greatly increasing the visibility of crossing zones and, hopefully, raising the awareness drivers will have for pedestrians traveling throughout the area.

Sources:

• Speed limit officially lowered along A1A in Brevard following girl’s death

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.