You can’t fix stupid.
That’s what some people believe when it comes to ongoing efforts at improving safety on Coastal Highway. The idea behind that logic is impatient people, fueled in most cases by alcohol, will do whatever it takes to get across the highway in the most expedient fashion possible. If that means crossing mid-block away from the marked intersection while balancing on the sloped median with vehicles a few feet away, they will do it. Add to that a fence in the median that will need to be hurdled and they will still seek the easiest route possible without exercising common sense.
That has been a debated topic this month after a plan and design to construct a median barrier was approved. We like the design of the median barrier, featuring landscaping highlighted by a white undulating fence with vertical and horizontal slats spaced at intervals with the intent to loosely mirror the town’s dune fence on the beach.
When it comes to aesthetics, there are bound to be disagreements. Some will like it, while some will abhor it. That goes for buildings and artwork as well. In the case of the median, we think the design is simple enough that it will be pleasing to the majority of people.
Looking past the design, however, the real discussion point is whether it’s worth the resources to add to the median to enhance pedestrian safety along the first phase, a more than one mile stretch of Coastal Highway from the Roland E. Powell Convention Center to about Route 90.
Aside from the Boardwalk downtown, this part of Coastal Highway is perhaps the most active part of Ocean City due to numerous condominiums on the oceanside and bayside, hotels and popular bayfront restaurants and bars. It’s the ideal place to try this barrier concept and see if it accomplishes the desired goals in an area that historically has seen the most pedestrian accidents in all of Ocean City.
Our hope is the focus of city and state officials and the general public now moves past the design element since that has been settled. The look will have its supporters and detractors, but we do not see it as offensive in the least bit and might add some distinct character to the highway.
Once completed for the summer of 2017, the key will be observing human behaviors and continuing to track accident totals. We think it will discourage people from making the mad dash across eight blocks of busy highway in the summer. If, as some say will occur, people do still try and climb or hurdle over the fence, changes will have to be made.
It might not be the perfect solution, but we think the concept of this median barrier is worth the money, time and effort in this designated area. It’s just a shame it can’t be in place for this coming summer, which will be here soon enough despite what’s on tap for the weekend.