Charlotte Streets: 13 New Beacons Aim to Slow Traffic

October serves as a national reminder to prioritize safety for people on foot and on bicycles as Halloween approaches. In Charlotte, North Carolina, local leaders are pointing to recent infrastructure changes intended to slow drivers and protect those crossing the street.

The Charlotte Department of Transportation constructed 13 hybrid crossing beacons over the past year. These devices allow pedestrians to cross roads between major intersections. A recent installation at Park Road and Sunset Drive in south Charlotte is part of this expansion. The department also installed more than 1,300 street lights and 22 new traffic signals during this period of upgrades.

City data indicates that while the total number of serious and deadly crashes decreased in the last fiscal year, the share of victims who were bikers or walkers rose. Thirty-seven percent of those killed or seriously injured belonged to these groups. This represents the highest percentage for pedestrians and cyclists in the last five years.

Clay Hevey, a resident of south Charlotte, pushes a stroller across Park Road to travel to and from school with his son. He stated that the new beacon allows him to feel safe enough to walk instead of drive. "The safer I feel the more I’m willing to go out," Hevey said. He noted that without the beacon, his family would remain in their car because they would not feel secure crossing that specific intersection.

Scierra Richardson, an engagement specialist with the Charlotte Department of Transportation, expressed optimism regarding future funding. "Halloween and beyond. We want people to make it home safely," Richardson said. She added that these investments will accumulate over time to ensure people have safe options for travel. Charlotte Councilmember At-Large Dimple Ajmera emphasized that tools such as speed bumps and hybrid beacons force drivers to reduce speed, which is necessary because distracted driving remains a persistent issue.

Ajmera addressed a recent incident in which a six-year-old was struck by a vehicle after exiting a school bus. She stated that reckless driving often creates the need for additional safety measures. "I cannot imagine the pain the family is going through. Every child deserves to feel safe," Ajmera said. She argued that the city cannot rely solely on police presence on every street or on individual driver discipline to prevent accidents.

The city plans to continue investing in traffic safety for walkers and bikers next year. Officials aim to address the high percentage of non-motorized vehicle victims in crashes. The recent installations are part of a wider effort to manage traffic flow during peak pedestrian times.