Fire Truck Blocked On Defuniak St

[Yzarctoo]

Was anyone aware that a county fire truck was unable to get through Defuniak Street down by Shorty's and the Red Bar because of the parking on Saturday evening? The truck had to back up which was also difficult due to incoming traffic. I was wondering if those residents who live over on Banfil and Garfield realize that they might have a problem receiving emergency services during the busy evening hours if they ever needed them? Even a small compact car has a difficult time weaving through this section and avoiding all of the double parking on the side streets. Don't suggest that Lydia street is the solution to this problem as it would take a really sharp turn to get onto Lydia as well as another sharp turn to get off Lydia...not exactly what a large fire engine is designed to do. They would also have to dodge all of the cars parked and double parked along the side streets.

I have never thought about this, even when frustrated by the parking
situation and the steady evening traffic into Grayton, but after hearing about the fire truck being blocked, it really does seem to make the situation a real problem rather than one of just being unhappy with crowded parking. I wonder if this problem could result in higher home insurance rates?

 

[scooterbug44]

I think we should kill 2 birds with one stone - enforcing the POSTED parking signs/regs would keep people safe and put some money in the county coffers.

Between Seaside and Grayton it's a potential gold mine.

 

[Bob Wells]

You just have to get it enforced, good luck.

 

[Matt J]

One way the street!

 

[scooterbug44]

Or people could just park their cars properly. :roll:

Half the problem would be solved if they just pulled them forward and learned how to park between 2 lines - apparently a dying art.

 

[hnooe]

One way the street!

That is brilliant! I say YES!!!!

 

[scooterbug44]

How exactly does making the street one way solve the problem?

The fire truck couldn't get down the current TWO-WAY street - you have to address the parking problems in some way or they will just continue to get worse.

 

[kkddbb]

One way the street!

great idea! ive been thinking that for years. but, i dont think even that would be the cure. its what happens when a community grows faster than its infrustructure. seaside has the same problem. they build and build new structures, but no parking. its gotten rediculous in the last ten years or so. but, chat holly is getting their road paved after major pressure from a specific few. the question is, do we want to alter grayton roads and i say heck no. tow the violators and deal with it. life isnt perfect and we shouldnt change everything because of one incident. this isnt the first time and it wont be the last. grayton (my home) is the last treasure we have in south walton.

 

[Matt J]

great idea! ive been thinking that for years. but, i dont think even that would be the cure. its what happens when a community grows faster than its infrustructure. seaside has the same problem. they build and build new structures, but no parking. its gotten rediculous in the last ten years or so. but, chat holly is getting their road paved after major pressure from a specific few. the question is, do we want to alter grayton roads and i say heck no. tow the violators and deal with it. life isnt perfect and we shouldnt change everything because of one incident. this isnt the first time and it wont be the last. grayton (my home) is the last treasure we have in south walton.

Yes, throwing a tow truck in the mix would help. :roll:

The point is that if you one way the streets the parking could be altered to follow the traffic flow. Without adding to the road you would have what is essentially there already, one lane.

What I'm saying is to one way Defuniak St. south from Lydia Ave and one way Hotz heading East from Defuniak to Garfield, then one way Garfield north. The remaining streets can remain two way and it wouldn't cause huge headaches.

 

[Just Curious]

We have parking issues all over. I don't think towing is a fix all either. You still have people that want to get to the beach or Red Bar or wherever. You have to give them another option. If we don't they will be forced to go somewhere else. That might sound good at first, but I don't think anybody really wants that to happen.