Should have been done a long time ago.
If you’ve been to Broadway in Nashville lately you know what a madhouse it’s become. With an estimated 15 million visitors per year to the famous strip, it can be a nightmare to even walk down the street – much less drive.
That nightmare turned into a tragedy over the weekend when an 87-year-old driver ran a red light as pedestrians were crossing Broadway, killing one and injuring three others.
The incident happened around 12:30pm on Saturday, and luckily first responders on routine patrol on Broadway were at the scene before the 911 call even came in. Unfortunately, 58-year-old insurance executive Timothy Wedlock of Australia was killed in the accident, while three others were hospitalized. Two of the survivors suffered critical injuries, while a third was listed in critical but stable condition.
So far, Metro Nashville Police Department have not said why the 87-year-old driver, Thomas Cahill of Bowling Green, Kentucky, failed to stop at the light. Cahill was in the vehicle with his 90-year-old wife, who also suffered injuries in the accident, and a caretaker who was uninjured. There’s been no word yet on whether charges will be filed against the driver.
Obviously the incident has brought renewed attention on pedestrian safety in the busy entertainment district. The city closes Broadway to traffic during special events and on some Friday and Saturday nights, but otherwise the street remains open to vehicle traffic.
According to Metro Nashville Police data, there have been 34 accidents involving pedestrians on Broadway over the last 5 years, with 16 of those occurring at the intersection of Fourth Avenue North and Broadway – the same intersection where Saturday’s accident occurred.
In the wake of the tragedy, Metro Nashville councilman Jacob Kupin, who represents downtown Nashville, says that closing Broadway to vehicular traffic is something that’s being evaluated:
“It’s something that we are always evaluating. It’s something I think about when I go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning.”
And the Tennessee Department of Transportation also confirmed that making the 5-block stretch of Nashville’s busiest street a pedestrian-only area is something that’s under consideration:
“The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has been in active discussions with Metro Nashville and the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TDOSHS) to evaluate the potential installation of bollards on Broadway in downtown Nashville, also known as State Route 1.
TDOT recognizes the critical importance of creating a safe and efficient environment for pedestrians, motorists, and businesses in downtown Nashville. TDOT is committed to advancing a collaborative process that supports the safest and most effective operations on this vital corridor.”
Businesses along Broadway are mixed in their support for closing the street to vehicles, with some expressing concern that it would make things more difficult for delivery drivers or for visitors coming to their business. But if I had to guess, I would say that having their customers get hit by cars and die would probably be even worse for business, so maybe those bar owners should rethink their position.
In case it’s not clear, I’m all in favor of closing Broadway to vehicles permanently, but if not permanently then much more frequently than is currently done. Not only does it make it easier to walk, but it also makes things much safer for both pedestrians and drivers. At a bare minimum, the strip should be closed from Friday evening to Sunday morning, but there’s really not a time when the street isn’t packed with pedestrians.
I used to live in New Orleans, which obviously has Bourbon Street that’s largely closed to vehicles, and that doesn’t seem to be hurting the businesses there any. In fact, it makes it easier for pedestrians to enjoy and get around, something that 15 million visitors to Broadway would no doubt appreciate.
Let’s close Broadway to vehicles, let people take their drinks on the street, and create our own little country Bourbon Street – maybe without the urine and vomit smell.
It’s past time to make this happen, and Saturday’s incident should be the last.
