The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.
Days after a 2-year-old was struck and killed by a vehicle, WJCL 22 is asking Tybee Island officials about staying safe as both a walker and driver.
With the Beach Bum parade Friday, Memorial Day weekend coming up and summer approaching, Tybee Island is just going to get busier. Resident Adeline Bowden says she goes to the beach four to five times a week during the summer, making Sunday’s tragedy hit closer to home.
“I was really upset about it,” Bowden said.
Through her experiences as both a driver and pedestrian on the island, she says she has many questions about the incident.
“I was kind of wondering, what was the parent doing that the child has gotten in front of a car,” Bowden said. “Or was the car not paying attention?”
While Georgia State Patrol continues to investigate, Lt. Emory Randolph with the Tybee Island Police Department is sharing tips in the meantime to make sure something similar never happens again.
“The speeds are low on Tybee Island, and one of the main reasons is the number of pedestrians and amount of foot traffic we get every year,” Randolph said. “There are multiple crosswalks that go back and forth to the beach.”
It is illegal to hold a cell phone in Georgia while driving. It is also illegal not to yield to people in crosswalks.
“Those lights don’t have to be flashing. If pedestrians are in the roads, you are required to stop,” Randolph said.
As for walkers, Bowden says she has experiences herself as a driver. She shares her message to pedestrians.
“With that happening last week, and Beach Bum happening this week, it’s really important for parents to let their kids know not to spray people in the face, be careful, don’t run in front of cars while they’re driving,” Bowden said.
The annual Tybee Beach Bum parade is happening Friday, May 17.
Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Pedestrian and driver safety on Tybee Island: Officials share tips after toddler is killed by car – WJCL News Savannah
