If you have a non-emergency traffic complaint, contact Captain Billy Jones, CTST Chairman and WCSO Traffic Unit Captain at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and the Traffic Unit will look into the complaint and contact you about how it has been resolved.

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What is the Wakulla County Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST)?

We are a group of volunteers concerned about improving traffic safety and flow in Wakulla County. Our Chairman is Captain Billy Jones of the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit. The Vice Chairman is Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Brian Speigner and the Secretary is Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Keith Blackmar.

The CTST meets the third Tuesday of each month at the WCSO conference room in the Emergency Operations Center. The meetings are open to the public.

Florida's Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTSTs) are locally based groups of highway safety advocates who are committed to solving traffic safety problems through a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary approach. Members include local city, county, state and occasionally federal agencies, as well as private industry representatives and local citizens. The community boundaries determined by the individuals comprising the team, and can be a city, an entire county, and a portion of a county, multiple counties or any other jurisdictional arrangement.

Multi-jurisdictional means several agencies (cities, county and state) plus other groups and organizations working together toward a common goal of improving traffic safety in their community. Multi-disciplinary means integrating the efforts of the four "E" disciplines that work in highway safety, including Engineering, Enforcement, Education / public information and Emergency services. By working together with interested citizens and other traffic safety advocates within their communities, the CTSTs help to solve local traffic safety problems related to the driver, the vehicle and the roadway.

One common goal of each Community Traffic Safety Team is to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes within their community.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been active in the support of Community Traffic Safety Teams. Each FDOT District has a CTST Coordinator who works closely with the CTSTs in their geographic area, and the Central FDOT Safety Office acts as a liaison to the District Coordinators.

CTST MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 20

The Wakulla County Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST) met in regular session on Tuesday, July 20 at the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Accreditation Room. Chairman WCSO Captain Billy Jones presided over the meeting with FHP Trooper Brian Speigner, Secretary Keith Blackmar, Stan Rudd, Brent Pell, Greg Taylor, Jeff Brittain, Scott McDermid, Pat Jones and Marge Kinder attending.

Member McDermid will be making a presentation to the Wakulla County Commission on Aug. 2 regarding conditions at the Wakulla River Upper Bridge. Following a death at the bridge in April, the number of individuals jumping from the bridge has decreased. Swimmers are still using the north end of the river for recreational purposes despite no actual recreation area near the bridge. Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office personnel continue to patrol the location and make people aware that the site is not a recreation area.

McDermid will also appear before the county commission to give the board a summary of what the CTST has been working on over the past months and make an awards presentation of the CTST Member of the Year.

The CTST also discussed speed reduction plans for Shadeville Highway and Spring Creek Highway at dangerous intersections.

The Shadeville Highway location speed reduction request will be submitted from a location east of Hale’s Small Engine Repair west to Trice Lane. The reduction in the area will be 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. A new day care center and the temporary courthouse will be located at and near the new community center.

The Spring Creek Highway and U.S. Highway 98 intersection will be proposed for a reduction from 55 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour in an effort to make the intersection safer. Both speed reduction requests will be presented to the county commission for final approval.

The next meeting of the CTST will be held the third Tuesday in August, Aug. 17 at 11 a.m., at the Wakulla County School District Bus Barn.

CTST MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010

The Wakulla County Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST) met on Tuesday, June 15 in regular session. Chairman Billy Jones presided over the meeting with members Marge Kinder, Greg Taylor, Stan Rudd, Brent Pell, Marj Law, Scott McDermid and Joe Hope attending.

Stan Rudd of Florida Department of Transportation reported that the Syfrett Bridge improvement project was on a repair list for an undetermined future date. CTST members expressed concern about school buses and other heavy vehicular traffic using the bridge which is in need of repair.

Calming devices were discussed for Rehwinkel Road and Tafflinger Road and the CTST decided to bring a request to the county commission for funding approval in August. Members expressed concern about vehicular speed from Rehwinkel Road to Tafflinger since Tafflinger has become paved.

At the same commission meeting, the CTST will honor the 2009 CTST Member of the Year and provide a brief synopsis of what the CTST has been working on this year.

A speed reduction was discussed at the Spring Creek Highway and U.S. Highway 98 intersection for increased safety. The Florida Department of Transportation will be conducting a survey at the location to obtain information for submission to the state.

Speed reduction was also discussed for Shadeville Highway from Hale’s Small Engine Repair to Trice Lane due to the new community center and day care facility nearby.

New road striping was discussed for Springhill Road near Guy Strickland Road to help motorists properly and safely merge into traffic before passing Guy Strickland Road.

The Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office speed trailer was moved to Otter Lake Road in Panacea due to traffic complaints related to speed. The trailer has also been deployed on Rehwinkel Road to show motorists their speed as they pass Harvey-Young Farm.

A message board was placed near Camp Indian Springs to caution motorists about summer camp being in session.

The Wakulla River Upper Bridge was discussed and the CTST was informed that multiple security checks have been conducted by Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies. In addition, Deputy Carl Allen of the Marine Unit has been on patrol in the area.

The increased and cooperative patrol efforts have resulted in a limited number of complaints being received and a safer area for motorists and boaters.

The next meeting of the CTST will be held on Tuesday, July 20 at 11 a.m. in the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office EOC Conference Room. The CTST meets the third Tuesday of every month.

CTST MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010

The Wakulla County Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST) met Tuesday, May 18 at the Wakulla County School District Bus Garage. Members attending the meeting included: Chairman Captain Billy Jones, Secretary Keith Blackmar, Brian Speigner, Pat Jones, Mike Stewart, Brent Pell, Greg Taylor, Stan Rudd and Scott McDermid.
Under old business, the CTST noted that the Panacea sidewalk project was brought in front of the Wakulla County Commission and board members approved the seeking of grant funds for the project. The plans for the project were unveiled at the April CTST meeting. No additional information was aired at the CTST meeting.

Scott McDermid reported that he discussed the upper Wakulla River Bridge safety situation with Wakulla Springs State Park Manager Brian Fugate. McDermid reported that Fugate was not receptive to the idea of the state acquiring the property near the Wakulla River fence.
Since it does not appear that the Wakulla County Commission will support a closing of the property or creation of a park at the location, McDermid said he will aim for the June 2011 deadline for submitting a grant to make improvements at the property.

Mike Stewart suggested the CTST send a letter to Florida Rep. Marti Coley’s office requesting funding for the Syfrette Creek Bridge replacement on Highway 375 between Sopchoppy and Smith Creek.
In new business, Captain Jones reported that residents have complained about speeders on Springhill Road near the intersection of Highway 267 and Guy Strickland Road. Speeding motorists have passed motorists who are attempting to turn off Springhill Road and the result has been several near accidents.

The CTST discussed the possibility of restriping Springhill Road or creating a turn lane for motorists attempting to get on to Guy Strickland Road. A deceleration lane was also discussed on Highway 267. Captain Jones said the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office speed trailer can be moved to the location to slow the traffic down.

A number of complaints have been received from the Tafflinger Road area regarding speeding on the newly paved road. The sheriff’s office has been very busy patrolling the road. Mike Stewart suggested installing traffic calming devices or other traffic slowing designs that have been used successfully elsewhere.

The CTST also discussed the possibility of creating a three way stop on Rehwinkel Road where it intersects with Tafflinger.
The Florida Department of Transportation will be erecting delineators at the intersection of U.S. Highway 319 and Highway 267 to better control access to the convenient store and reduce the risk of accidents.

Brian Speigner brought up concerns over the parking at the recreation park in Medart. A number of park users are parking improperly and creating a danger to young children going back and forth from their vehicles to the fields. The CTST hopes the county can improve the parking signage.
Brian Speigner also informed the committee that there seems to be some highway undercutting in the Mineral Springs area of Panacea that has created some roadway asphalt rippling.

Captain Jones expressed concern about the drop-off of a drainage area near Walgreens and Capital City Bank that contains large rocks. DOT officials will be checking on the Mineral Springs and the U.S. Highway 319 drainage ditch concerns.

The DOT is entering the final months of planning to realign and relocate the U.S. Highway 319 and U.S. Highway 98 intersection to a spot near the entrance to the Wakulla High School bus garage and bus loading areas a short distance east of the existing intersection. Changes should become visible in the next 12 to 18 months.

Gov. Charlie Crist signed the red light camera bill into law and the intersection cameras will be permitted through the Department of Transportation.
The June meeting of the CTST will be held Tuesday, June 15 at 11 a.m. tentatively scheduled for the bus garage conference room.  

CTST MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 20

The Wakulla County Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST) held its monthly meeting at the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office conference room in the Emergency Operations Center Tuesday, April 20.
The volunteer organization meets once a month on the third Tuesday of the month and the meetings are open to the public. Members attending included: Stanley Rudd, Scott Nelson, Pat Jones, Keith Blackmar, Jerry Moore, Jeff Brittain, Joe Hope, Brent Pell, Scott McDermid and Chairman Captain Billy Jones.

The CTST held a discussion about the Panacea sidewalk project which was continued from the March meeting. The sidewalk project is proposed from Otter Lake Road south to the medical center and west to the Panacea Women’s Club (community center). The sidewalks will be on the west side of U.S. Highway 98 and continue north to the U.S. Post Office.
The group hopes to acquire state Department of Transportation (DOT) funding to build the sidewalks. A cost estimate is being prepared. Some curbs may need to be added, but there won’t be any impact on existing speed limits on the highway. The CTST made the sidewalk project a top funding priority.

The topic of relocating a streetlight to the intersection of Trice Lane and Shadeville Highway was addressed. The light will be moved closer to the intersection for better safety.
The CTST Member of the Year was selected for 2009. The selection was Sgt. Mike Helms. Helms is being recognized for his outstanding work on the committee and all of the work he has done outside of committee meetings to provide better safety to residents of the county. He will be awarded a plaque in May.

The WCSO Traffic Unit responded to complaints in Wakulla Station where trucks were traveling on Highway 267 with their lights off and speeding. The unit contacted area businesses to make them aware of the problem as well as conducting a number of traffic stops in the area. The CTST now has a contact e-mail of Captain Jones on the WCSO web site if members of the community want to express traffic concerns.

At the request of CTST member Scott McDermid a meeting will be held to brainstorm ideas to address the problems at the Wakulla River upper bridge. The meeting will include CTST members, county staff and Brian Fugate of Wakulla Springs State Park.
McDermid hopes to present three to four solution ideas to the county commission to address the dangers at the upper bridge. The problems at the bridge include drinking, drugs, trash and inadequate parking.

The possibility of having the state purchase the two acre Parrish Barwick parcel to create a park, proper launch area and restroom facilities was aired. The CTST has identified the project as the second highest priority behind funding the Panacea sidewalk project.

The CTST placed the Syfrette Creek Bridge replacement project on the Smith Creek Highway as the third ranked project. Since a temporary bridge must be constructed to accommodate traffic while a new bridge is constructed, the estimated cost of the project could reach $1 million. A school bus transports school children over the bridge and CTST members said the bridge is probably getting more traffic weight than it should be handling.

Jerry Moore asked the CTST to consider a golf cart community for the west side of U.S. Highway 98 and on Bottoms Road. The designation may include the Otter Lake Road area to Chattahoochee Street and the isolated Bottoms Road area.

The next meeting of the CTST will be held Tuesday, May 18 at 11 a.m. in the EOC conference room.

CTST MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 16

The Wakulla County Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST) held its monthly meeting at the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office conference room in the Emergency Operations Center Tuesday, March 16.

The volunteer organization meets once a month on the third Tuesday of the month and the meetings are open to the public.

CTST Chair Pat Jones has served the team as chair for six years. She turned the duties of chairman over to WCSO Traffic Unit Captain Billy Jones. WCSO Public Information Officer Keith Blackmar was selected to serve as CTST Secretary replacing Marj Law. The team did not have a vice chairman under Pat Jones. However, the team selected Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Brian Speigner to serve as vice chairman.

The discussion items began with the “old business” of a request from Panacea to be considered as a golf cart community. The Wakulla County Commission grants golf cart community status through a public hearing process.

The CTST members were concerned about creating a community in Panacea, which is linked to a federal highway, U.S. Highway 98. County commissioners granted golf cart community status to the Shell Point area several years ago.

In Panacea the request includes the Bottoms Road area, possibly a portion of the center of Panacea and perhaps the Ochlockonee Bay community. But state and federal laws apply to use of U.S. Highway 98. The CTST asked that the matter be sent to the Panacea Waterfronts Committee to determine the extent of the golf cart community interest.

The CTST will be putting the matter of a Panacea sidewalk project on the April 19 agenda. CTST members are determining the most appropriate places for the sidewalks. Eight residents of Panacea use motorized wheelchairs to conduct local business and are required to ride the side of the roadway now.

Grant funds for the project could be identified. Ultimately, it will be up to the county commission to seek the grant funding and approve the concept. Reimbursement is on a two to three year cycle. The CTST has also looked into sidewalks for the Crawfordville area.

The team is working to adjust the location of a streetlight at the intersection of Trice Lane and Shadeville Highway. The light will be erected on the east side of the intersection to illuminate the busy traffic area.

Team members agreed to the creation of a section of the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office web site for CTST issues. The menu item has been created and the site is already active with hits from the public being calculated.

The CTST will create a way for the public to express locations of safety concerns in Wakulla County. The Wakulla CTST has been operating since 1999.

The team will also consider honoring a member of the team as a CTST Member of the Year.

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, April 20 at 11 a.m. at the WCSO EOC conference room.