Savannah residents describe dangers of crossing Victory Drive ahead of new signal

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Georgia Department of Transportation will activate a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon signal on Victory Drive at Atlantic Avenue next week, on August 27.

The signal is located near Baldwin Park, close to Daffin Park.

No lights will be on or flashing until someone who needs to cross presses the button. The signal then flashes yellow until it turns solid red, requiring drivers to come to a complete stop. Once the person crossing reaches the other side of the street, the light will flash red, allowing drivers to slowly move forward again.

Residents describe crossing concerns

“The amount of times I can’t find a crosswalk because it’s busy traffic like this, it’s insane to me. I think that would be very beneficial,” Preston Dembiczak said.

Dembiczak and Chance Seidel said they often move through the neighborhoods near Baldwin and Daffin Parks both on foot and by electric scooter for work.

“I have to go from one side of this neighborhood to the next, and I’m like riding on the grass, and I have to get over and crossing a busy street, waiting for that little gap. It’s like, ‘Eh, should I go, should I not,’ and it’s just not safe,” Seidel said.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, this type of crosswalk signal reduces pedestrian-involved crashes by 55%.

Georgia DOT said the City of Savannah requested the signal be installed.

Georgia DOT and Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said the effectiveness of the new signal relies on both drivers and people crossing.

“We have to continue to do all we can to ensure that people are aware of intersections and make sure that we’re informing individuals and making sure that we have all we can to help keep people safe. There’s also a personal responsibility side of that as well,” Johnson said.