Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Lee County roads are getting more dangerous, especially for some of our most vulnerable travelers — pedestrians.
According to The News-Press, there were close to 25 pedestrians killed on Lee County roads in 2013, compared to only 13 in 2012. Altogether, there have been more than 80 traffic-accident fatalities, well over the 64 reported in 2012.
Our pedestrian injury lawyers note Collier County was no safer. In 2013, more than 30 people were killed in traffic accidents, about 4 more than the previous year. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are vulnerable because drivers have trained their brains to look for automobiles. And with the New Year, we’re asking drivers to vow to be a better and safer driver for the sake of all travelers on our South Florida roadways. Your resolution can help to save lives.
“People in general are not very good at judging speed or distance, and this becomes a major problem,” said Jay Anderson, executive director of “Stay Alive, Just Drive“.
In 2013, the city of Cape Coral saw close to 20 traffic fatalities, up 10 from the previous year. Three of these fatalities were pedestrians and another three were bicyclists. Seven of the fatalities were attributed to violation of right-of-way and another six were drug- or alcohol-related.
With the New Year, officials with the Cape Police Department are working on new initiatives to help to fight against these preventable accidents. They will be focusing a lot of their efforts on schools, where there was an overwhelming number of students who were involved in traffic accidents while traveling to and from campus.
Drivers are asked to:
-Stop for pedestrians who are in a crosswalk, even if it is not marked. When you stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, stop well back so that drivers in the other lanes can also see the pedestrian in time to stop.
-Don’t overtake or pass any vehicle that stops at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a pedestrian or bicyclist to cross the roadway safely
-When driving, be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones and be on the lookout for bikers, walkers or runners who may be distracted or may step into the street unexpectedly.
-Slow down and obey the posted speed limit.
-For maximum visibility, keep your windshield clean and headlights on.
-Look for pedestrians stepping out from between parked cars. Where there are lots of parked cars, there will likely be pedestrians.
-Use side windows to look around you before backing up. Checking mirrors is not enough.
-Share the road. It’s your responsibility to look out for others.
By making these small changes in your driving habits, you can help to ensure that our roadways are safer for all travelers.
Happy New Year!
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, contact Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured. Call for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. 1-800-283-2900.
More Blog Entries:
Most SWFL Traffic Collisions are no “Accident”, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, December 31, 2013
A Year In Review: Drivers’ Questionable Habits Too Often Blamed for SWFL Collisions, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, December 26, 2013
