FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A brand new Florida legislation cracking down on non-standard road artwork is drawing criticism from group members and native officers, who say the transfer threatens public expression and id.
The Florida Division of Transportation (FDOT) launched a press release June 30 citing security issues as the explanation for implementing a uniform commonplace throughout roadways.
“Non-standard floor markings, signage, and indicators that don’t immediately contribute to site visitors security or management can result in distractions or misunderstandings, jeopardizing each driver and pedestrian security,” the division acknowledged.
In response, cities like Boynton Seashore have already begun eradicating road artwork. A rainbow-painted intersection was lately coated up by metropolis employees following the brand new directive.
For residents like Cedrick Inexperienced, the coverage looks like a step backward.
“It’s disheartening and out of bounce as a result of why would you need to boring a group that’s so vibrant,” Inexperienced mentioned.
Others questioned the state’s priorities.
“I truly suppose it’s form of loopy that the road artwork can be thought of distracting,” mentioned Heather Clarke. “I don’t discover it distracting in any respect. I believe the pot holes and issues like which might be extra distracting.”
Wilton Manors Vice Mayor/ Commissioner Chris Caputo mentioned the directive may erase significant group symbols, together with people who honor victims of tragedy.
“It actually provides a way of group. You recognize if you end up in Wilton Manors since you see the rainbow bridge,” Caputo mentioned. “I believe in locations like Orlando that has the Pulse memorial rainbow crosswalk — 49 folks misplaced their lives — this offers the one thing to honor these folks. Now it’s going to get painted over and develop into an unsafe crosswalk.”
Caputo additionally criticized the legislation’s potential monetary impression on cities.
“It’s actually irritating as a result of it’s basically blackmail,” he mentioned. “They’re saying that they will withhold funds, which might be critically wanted funds, that cities and municipalities couldn’t hold roadways protected with out except you do that.”
Cities throughout the state — together with Boynton Seashore, West Palm Seashore and Wilton Manors — have both eliminated or are dealing with stress to take away their pleasure crosswalks.
In Key West, Commissioner Sam Kaufman issued a powerful response to FDOT’s directive, calling the rainbow crosswalks on Duval Road a logo of the town’s id.
“Key West’s rainbow crosswalk isn’t only a splash of coloration — it’s a mirrored image of our id, our historical past, and our values,” Kaufman wrote in an e-mail shared with the Metropolis Supervisor Brian Barroso and Metropolis Legal professional Kendal Harden. “This metropolis has lengthy been a champion of inclusion and creativity, and that crosswalk is without doubt one of the some ways we honor these traditions.”
Kaufman additionally raised issues about state overreach into native issues.
“Efforts to control or erase it from afar ignore a elementary precept: dwelling rule,” he mentioned. “Florida is a state filled with vibrant, numerous cities — every with its personal heartbeat. We ought to be embracing that, not mandating uniformity.”
He known as on the town’s authorized division to discover choices for resisting or difficult the directive, together with the potential for requesting an exemption beneath FDOT tips.
Different cities may quickly face the identical dilemma. Crosswalks in Miami Seashore and Key West could also be affected, although native officers have but to announce how they plan to reply.
West Palm Seashore has already confirmed it’s going to take away its pride-themed crosswalk. Delray Seashore additionally options pleasure sidewalk artwork that could possibly be topic to removing.
Regardless of the state’s security rationale, some residents say the lack of public artwork would do extra hurt than good.
“It brings a way of group, in a time once we genuinely very a lot want that,” Clarke mentioned.
FDOT officers confirmed that the legislation stems from Senate Invoice 1662, which was handed throughout the newest legislative session to “guarantee compliance with FDOT’s uniform system for site visitors management units.”
The company mentioned it’s at the moment conducting an analysis on services throughout the state.
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