Crossing 30A a problem??

**beachnuevo** · 07-13-2011, 02:09 PM

We have stayed on the opposite side of 30A previously where we have had to cross 30A to get to beach. While there in May, the traffic was horrible, and people rarely stopped for crosswalks.
I've been researching a rental for my family with grandkids, and need to know if we should plan to be next to the beach front? We will have 2 little ones to cross the road with...

How about crossing 30A over around Camp Creek Cottages at Seacrest?

**scooterbug44** · 07-13-2011, 02:26 PM

As long as the grandkids know not to run into the road and an adult holds their hand while crossing, I would not worry at all.

Most people stop for the crosswalks, the problems come when bikers and pedestrians are not visible to the cars and drivers are unaware.

I just wait for an opening, cross at a crosswalk if possible, and make eye contact with the drivers.

**iwishiwasthere** · 07-13-2011, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by beachnuevo

We have stayed on the opposite side of 30A previously where we have had to cross 30A to get to beach. While there in May, the traffic was horrible, and people rarely stopped for crosswalks.
I've been researching a rental for my family with grandkids, and need to know if we should plan to be next to the beach front? We will have 2 little ones to cross the road with...

How about crossing 30A over around Camp Creek Cottages at Seacrest?

We stayed there last year and did not have any problems. On occasion there were some speedy drivers, but overall easy to cross.

**Beach Runner** · 07-13-2011, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

As long as the grandkids know not to run into the road and an adult holds their hand while crossing, I would not worry at all.

Most people stop for the crosswalks, the problems come when bikers and pedestrians are not visible to the cars and drivers are unaware.

I just wait for an opening, cross at a crosswalk if possible, and make eye contact with the drivers.

I agree. When I was a runner, I ran that area a lot. That area of 30A is not trafficky. But follow the advice in the first sentence.

**beachnuevo** · 07-13-2011, 08:27 PM

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. I love that area, but want my grandchildren to be safe in crossing. It was very busy back in May of this year, and people did not stop at the crosswalks. I hope they have improved.

**buster** · 07-13-2011, 09:14 PM

The most dangerous is where it's congested in Seagrove.

**Beach Runner** · 07-13-2011, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by beachnuevo

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. I love that area, but want my grandchildren to be safe in crossing. It was very busy back in May of this year, and people did not stop at the crosswalks. I hope they have improved.

Well, in general, vehicles on 30A don't stop at crosswalks for pedestrians. Don't cross unless you make eye contact with vehicles from both directions and get a wave. The worst places for crossing 30A (east to west)are from Seagrove at Tom Thumb through Seaside and through Watercolor.

**tistheseason** · 07-13-2011, 10:20 PM

My experience is that drivers on 30a don't stop -- but it's easy enough to wait for a break in cars and then cross. It's not too trafficky at all.

**lenzoe** · 07-14-2011, 08:00 AM

I don't know about Seacrest. I do believe the crosswalks at Rosemary Beach and Seaside are better marked than in Seagrove. In Seagrove they mostly just mark them with two parallel white stripes and the standard crosswalk sign, but many drivers don't seem to recognize those well at 35 MPH. I've stood there with my foot out in the crosswalk waiting for drivers to stop while car after car zips through it.

**RiverOtter** · 07-14-2011, 08:12 AM

I don't remember ever having a problem crossing 30A

**melscuba** · 07-14-2011, 09:08 AM

Never stayed anywhere BUT North of 30-A... never less than three kids in tow... often six. Never a problem. We always have our youngest's hand. We have also always had the stop sign in Watercolor to cross, until recently when we stayed in Magnolia Cottages by the Sea.... just down from Cottages of Camp Creek. There always seems to be a nice break between a run of cars and we just wait and go then. Not a problem at all. Have a wonderful time... such a magical place to make those family memories.

**scooterbug44** · 07-14-2011, 10:06 AM

I rarely have a problem with crossing the street and it is a rare occasion for me to drive on 30A and not stop multiple times so people can cross.

Though it is also a rare occasion for me to not get annoyed with people who seem baffled by such an easy and simple process.................and whose little babies must fend for themselves in traffic because a cup of coffee/something stronger and the cell phone are more important than holding their little hands.

**ASH** · 07-14-2011, 10:13 AM

I've literally hung out my window while sitting at a stop to try to stop traffic coming at me so someone standing in front of my vehicle can finish crossing the road. I think there are many who just don't understand that they are supposed to yield.
When I'm walking, I typically make a good long eye contact and then act as if I'm stepping right out into the road to see how quickly the cars can stop. Always ready to stop or step back if need be, but I don't have any kids with me either.
Never had anyone stop and holler at me yet for exercising my lawful rights...

**familyof3** · 07-14-2011, 10:45 AM

I agree it was not too bad this year. However I only start into the crosswalk once traffic has stopped or I made eye contact with the driver and they had slowed to an almost stop so that I was sure that was their intention. There was enough traffic that I would not have started across just assuming everyone would recognize the crosswalk many times we had to wait for a couple of cars to go by before someone stopped.

**tsutcli** · 07-14-2011, 10:49 AM

yes, as long as they are at a marked cross-walk I always yield. Unfortunetly, too many people think this applies anywhere they want to cross because they are too lazy to walk to the marked crossover. This is called jaywalking folks and not legal. I guess they figure we'll stop because if you hit someone it's going to be the drivers fault no matter what.

**Murray Balkcom** · 07-14-2011, 12:06 PM

With drivers on cell phones or distracted by other stuff, don't rely on making eye contact before crossing. Wait until they stop their vehicle.

I disagree that most drivers stop for people in crosswalks. I stop every time I see someone waiting to cross, and to my surprise, I see countless others pretend to not even notice. Like Ash, I've waved down oncoming cars and flashed my lights, attempting to get the attention of oncoming drivers so they would stop for people crossing. Be careful, or get a place like RiverOtter's, south of 30A.

**Beach Runner** · 07-14-2011, 12:25 PM

We always stop for people crossing 30A, no matter if it's at a crosswalk or not.

**heartbren** · 07-14-2011, 01:51 PM

I always watch for people when going down 30A especially now. When I see people I just stop for them wherever they are. There are people everywhere right now so you just have to be careful. I wish people that are driving at 4 way stop signs were so courteous. They all seem to be in a hurry and do not like to wait their turn. This just started during tourist season. So people, please take your time and be more courteous to other drivers.

**Just_In_Thyme** · 07-14-2011, 05:19 PM

We've never had a problem with crossing.

**Dlund** · 07-15-2011, 11:13 PM

Crossing the road in seacrest is not to bad at all as long as your at a marked cross walk. I have noticed people not stopping for people just standing by the road and then 30 feet down the road stop for pedestrians but they were at a marked cross walk.

**Miss Kitty** · 07-16-2011, 04:00 AM

the important thing on 30A or anywhere for that matter, is to make eye contact with driver of car! Also, when they stop for you, get off the pucking phone and walk!

**tistheseason** · 07-16-2011, 08:53 AM

Is it state law in Florida to stop for pedestrians in at a crosswalk? It is in georgia -- although we still have issues sometimes. But I've often wondered about Florida. . .

**beasmiester** · 07-16-2011, 09:25 AM

We live in Magnolia and have a business in the Villages of SoWal, so we see a lot of folks crossing 30A. Mornings and evenings, I see so many people crossing where there are no markings and they have to wait for those breaks everyone is talking about.
If you stay in Seacrest Beach or the Village, they have tram service that provides rides to and from the beach at no cost, which is a great service for getting multiple family members and all the gear to the beach.
Most important, though, yes it's a law to stop for pedistrians at cross walks but it's our responsibility to keep the kids in tow and out of harm's way.