Twelve people were killed in traffic accidents in Lee County during the first month of 2013. That’s a number that’s about double our monthly average, according to The News-Press.
The deaths included two motorcyclists, a bicyclist, five motorists and four pedestrians. These 12 people were killed in just the 31 days of January, according to the most recent information from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
Our Fort Myers personal injury attorneys understand that Lee County saw about the same number of traffic fatalities in the month of January as Hillsborough County.
Hillsborough County has about twice as many people. We also know that Collier County saw four traffic fatalities throughout the month. In the state, Palm Beach and Broward counties recorded the most traffic fatalities — with 14 each.
We’ve talked before about the risks that come with snowbirds and the tourist season. Our roadways are jam packed with out-of-town drivers. With such a significant increase in traffic out there, there’s no doubting that we face increases in the risks of accidents. Ultimately, it’s up to drivers to be alert and cautious behind the wheel to help to reduce these risks.
The president of “Stay Alive…Just Drive”, Jay Anderson, says that it’s troubling to start off a New Year with so many deaths.
January 2013 reported 12 traffic fatalities –8 deaths were reported in January of 2012. Last year, we saw just more than five traffic fatalities each month, totaling about 65 for the entire year. In 2011, there were about 80 reported in Lee County.
BikeWalkLee’s Dan Moser says that drivers better turn the attention inward and truly take a look at their own driving habits. He points to speeding and aggressive driving as two of the main culprits for these accidents.
“We have become a society of drivers who drive however we want,” said Moser. “It’s a lot of bad decisions made by a lot of people.”
Only one of the drivers involved in the four fatal pedestrian accidents was cited by police officers. The 80-year-old driver was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Allegedly, the three other accidents were the result of the involved pedestrians walking out in front of traffic.
Regardless of how you choose to travel, it’s important that you do so safely. You need to adjust your driving/walking/biking skills to accommodate the seasonal traffic around us. Stay cool out there and stay one step ahead of the traffic around you to help to prevent a potentially fatal accident.
Call Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, if you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident. Call today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. 1-800-283-2900.
More Blog Entries:
Fort Myers Beach Pedestrian Accidents an Ongoing Risk, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, February 4, 2013
Florida Fails Traffic Safety Law Review, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, January 30, 2013