Traffic fatalities on Lee County roads continue in March

Doug McGregor News-Press political cartoon on distracted driving

While the final March numbers aren't in yet, traffic fatalities and injuries continue at heightened
levels in March, with vulnerable road users especially at risk.

Below are links to news stories over the past two weeks about fatalities and serious injuries of vulnerable road users on our roadways, and related safety issues:

Crashs:

3/24 News-Press:  

The Lee County Sheriff's Office is investigating a hit-and-run incident that left a bicyclist with serious injuries early this morning in Lehigh

3/22 NBC-2 News:  Pedestrian:  A state prisoner working as part of a crew repairing the paved shoulder of Bayshore Road was hit by a passing car, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

3/21 News-Press:  FHP: Lehigh Acres man died of natural causes, not due to hit and run.

3/15 News-Press: Traffic crash with school bus caused by careless driving:

A driver who is accused of causing a crash involving a Lee County school bus carrying

3/13 NBC-2 News:  The Lee County woman who was involved in a fatal crash on the Sanibel Causeway and later arrested for doctor shopping, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to 12 counts stemming from the doctor shopping case.

3/12 News-Press:  Another vulnerable road user (this time a motorcyclist) dies on Lee County roads.

A driver involved in a crash on Thursday in Cape Coral died Monday as a result of his injuries, Cape police said.

3/10 NBC-2 News:  A mother and her child were taken to the hospital after being hit by an SUV while crossing a street in Lehigh Acres, Friday night.

BWL FB Post 3/10: At least two in BWL network saw the aftermath of a bad bike crash on Winkler near Summerlin on Saturday afternoon, 3/9.  Although it was never reported in the press, we finally found out what happened.  This information was provided from LCSO on 3/25:

The crash investigation was conducted by Cpl. Gould of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit.  The investigation revealed a white Chevrolet pickup truck was northbound on Winkler Road (near Sweet Bay Market) when a 59 year-old white male road his bicycle into the path of the pickup truck.  The bicyclist was transported to LMH for injuries received as a result of the crash.  Cpl. Gould found the bicyclist at fault in the crash and cited him for careless driving and DUI.

3/9 WINK News and News-Press:  31 fatalities on Lee County roads so far in 2013, both WINK and NBC-2 news have stories focused on issue:

Lee County deadly roads

Lee County deadly roads. We are on pace for what could be a record year for traffic deaths

3/8 Naples Daily News:  Another pedestrian fatality last night on Fort Myers Beach.

A 67-year-old man died after being struck by a pickup truck Wednesday night in Fort Myers Beach.

Other Safety news:

3/20 News-Press:  Cape Coral Committee approves guardrails at intersection near canal where 2 fatal crashes have occurred:  Safety features pitched for Cape Coral roads

3/24 News-Press:  Today's letters to editor include 2 letters continuing the community dialogue about bad drivers in SWFL:  Sunday's letters to the editor

3/10 News-Press:  letter to editor about why so many traffic fatalities--Bad driving habits commonplace:  Sunday's Cape Coral letters to the editor

3/18  National CDC report:  

CDC reports that Americans drive distracted much more often than Europeans.

CDC: Americans Drive Distracted Three Times More Than Brits | Streetsblog Capitol Hill