Logic is still on the blink on Fifth Avenue

Now that somebody has been killed attempting to cross Fifth Avenue at night, it is remarkable Idaho Transportation Department traffic signals on the street toggle to blink mode after hours.

The blinking signals disarm the crosswalk buttons.

It is an obscure fact known by only those who have toed the curb and stared down the gaping maw of a five-lane roadway populated by motorists who may or may not be paying attention to what's going on in the periphery.

Mark Eugene Carter, 48, died almost a year ago after being struck in the Poplar Street crosswalk by a motorist. His death brought safety improvements to that crosswalk, but getting across Fifth at night remains a risky endeavor.

Crossing Fifth at night is a challenge for those who can see, hear and move swiftly; It is impossible for those who cannot. From a driver's perspective, Fifth at night can be an inky vortex of muted road markings and phantom pedestrian movements.

Enabling the crosswalk signals would at least eliminate some of the guesswork of navigating Fifth Avenue. There is no doubt a traffic-flow rationale behind putting traffic signals on the nod, but it's hard to believe congestion is problem beyond the evening rush hour.

A high price was paid to usher enhancements to Fifth, but safety — not a body count — should be what drives pedestrian improvements.

? Keith Kinnaird is a motorist, pedestrian and cyclist who reports for The Daily Bee.