FHP pedestrian safety detail conducted Feb. 17th

FHP and LCSO conducted another quarterly pedestrian safety detail on Feb. 17th at the intersection of Martin Luther King Blvd. and Cottage Streets and Monroe Street. Thanks to officers for equipping 137 bikes with lights today!                           
   OPERATION P.E.D.S.

(Pedestrian Education and Developing Safety)

Fort Myers, Fla. -   On February 17, 2015, the Florida Highway Patrol, along with the Fort Myers Police Department, completed the first quarterly wave of the 2015 Operation P.E.D.S. (Pedestrian Education and Developing  

Safety details) on SR 82 (Martin Luther King Boulevard). The detail began at 1:00 pm and concluded at 5:00 pm.  Troopers looked for pedestrian, bicycle and motorist violations that occur at or near intersections. In 2014, there were 524 total crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians, 25 of which were fatal. The purpose of this detail was to decrease the amount of injuries and deaths through a series of highly concentrated education and enforcement details in areas prone to pedestrian and bicyclist involved crashes.                                                                       

• Traffic safety educational information was provided to:

• 402 Pedestrians provided safety brochures along with safety equipment (reflective vest, reflective bracelets and key chain lights) to those in need
• 184 Bicyclists provided safety brochures along with safety equipment (bicycle head lights, bells and reflectors) to those in need

              ****Troopers personally equipped 137 bicycles with headlight and taillights****

In total, there were 586 citizen contacts made

The following roadways were found to have the highest concentration of pedestrian and bicyclist crashes- U.S. 41 (Cleveland Avenue), State Road 80 (Palm Beach Blvd.), Lee Boulevard, Estero Boulevard and State Road 78 (Bayshore Road). It was further determined that the majority of the crashes occurred during the afternoon hours on Wednesdays.  FHP will continue to conduct this type of pedestrian/bicycle safety details on a quarterly basis.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

·         Use Designated Walking Areas Whenever Possible Walk on sidewalks and in crosswalks whenever possible. Pay attention to walk signals and keep a safe distance when standing on street corners. ·         Be Sure to Be Seen Be careful of blind spots when walking near or around a vehicle. Assume the driver does not see you. ·         Proceed with Caution when crossing intersections and streets. ·         Stand Out Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially when walking in the dark. Carry a flashlight, too, for added protection.

·         Look Out for Wide Loads Keep your distance when walking around large trucks carrying wide loads because the driver may not see you.

Sharing the Roadway as a Vehicle:

• Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or bicycle.
• The driver of a vehicle at an intersection that has a traffic control signal shall stop at the marked stop line or if none before entering crosswalk.
• The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle must pass…. at a safe distance of not less than 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle.