On July Fourth, my siblings came into town and rented a home. Unfortunately, they rented a home on Route One immediately opposite the location where Roy and Helene Love were struck by an automobile. Roy is now the third death we have had over the past few months and it turns my thoughts to what is happening.
I can’t help but think that full time residents are putting ourselves in danger in the way we react to the influx of visitors to our region. During nine months of the year we know the rules of the road, drive 25 mph in Dewey, yield to traffic in the circle, allow bicycles plenty of room on the Spring Lake bridge, etc.
Due to the amount of visitors we see during the summer, we need to apply even more rules to this list. Not because our guests are bad drivers or idiots. They simply have different rules in D.C. or Baltimore or Philly.
So remember, that gap in traffic on Route One is not sufficient during the summer months because our guests are driving just a little faster than we are used to. That family in the minivan doesn’t know where Route 24 is so they tend to drive erratically. That family on scooters has never ridden them before.
So be careful my fellow Regionites. Cross at the green, not in between. And next winter, let’s take a good hard look at our traffic and figure out how to make this area just a little bit safer.
Tom Colucci
Rehoboth Beach
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