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St. Pete road mural reduces crashes more than 50%

Posted at 4:36 PM, Oct 18, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-18 18:05:13-04

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A painted mural in downtown St. Petersburg has helped reduce crashes more than 50% in just three years.

Three years ago, Shine St. Petersburg Mural Festival painted a mural along Central Avenue at 5th Street.

City leaders tell ABC Action News that looking at crash history for three years before it was installed and three years after crashes went down 73%.

In comparison, crashes a block away without a mural at Central Avenue and 4th Street remained consistent.

DRIVING TAMPA BAY FORWARD | The latest headlines on safety and infrastructure in the Tampa Bay area

“It’s just a little splash of color, that brings the eye up,” said Orlando Roig.

ABC Action News has done stories on other neighborhoods that have used them in residential areas to help slow drivers down.

RELATED: South Tampa neighbors hope street mural will slow drivers down

And, in January neighbors in Palma Ceia announced their plans to add a street mural as well.

RELATED: New street mural coming to Palma Ceia in an effort to slow traffic down