From
tailgating and speeding to red-light running and illegal passing, aggressive
driving is a problem in Collier County, deputies say.
While the
Collier County Sheriff’s Office addresses the issue of aggressive driving
year-round, deputies will focus on it in the form of a public safety initiative
starting Tuesday, Aug. 23, and continuing through December.
“We
continually receive information from the public about motorists speeding, changing
lanes without signaling, tailgating and reckless driving,” Collier County
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “The goal of this initiative is to slow down
traffic and reduce injury crashes and fatalities on our roads, while achieving
voluntary compliance of traffic laws through education and enforcement.”
Electronic
signs will be deployed at key intersections to warn drivers that deputies will
be on the lookout for aggressive drivers. Deputies will be out in force in marked
patrol units, unmarked patrol units and marked police motorcycles _ all using radar and laser speed-measuring
devices.
Deputies
will focus largely on corridors identified by data as being high-volume crash
areas or which generate frequent citizen complaints. Deputies will also
incorporate aggressive driving operations at times of day that data indicates
are most closely tied to aggressive driving, including during the morning and
after-work drive times on weekdays.
Initially, deputies
will focus on the following corridors:
* Livingston
Road from Immokalee Road to Golden Gate Parkway
* Collier
Boulevard from U.S. 41 East to the Marco Island Bridge
* Vanderbilt
Beach Road from U.S. 41 North to Collier Boulevard
The number
of traffic deaths in Collier County is up 10 percent so far this year compared
to the same period in 2015. There have been 19 fatal traffic crashes resulting
in 22 traffic deaths during the first half of 2016 compared to 17 fatal crashes
resulting in 20 traffic deaths over the same period in 2015. In 2015 Collier
County followed a statewide trend of increased crashes and traffic fatalities.
Fatalities increased from a total of 39 in 2014 to a total of 49 in 2015.
Aggressive
driving is one of the most frequent driving complaints that CCSO receives from
citizens. So far this year CCSO has received 3,425 aggressive driving
complaints from the public. A total of 5,440 aggressive driving complaints were
received in 2015.
Since Jan.
1, 2016, there have been 42 aggressive driving-related crashes. There were a
total of 60 aggressive driving-related crashed in 2015.
Here are
some ways you can stay safe on the road:
* Obey all
speed limits and signs
* Limit
distractions like eating, drinking, or talking on your phone
* Be alert
and remain focused solely on the task of driving
* Always
wear your seat belt
* Perform a
simple safety check before driving. Turn on the lights and walk around the
vehicle to ensure that all lights are in working order. Also check your
blinkers for proper operation. Look for any fluid leaks or items hanging from
the vehicle. Check to ensure that the tires are in good condition and are
properly inflated
* When you
get into the car, adjust all mirrors and seats
* Always use
your turn signal
* When a
light turns green, look left, then right, straight ahead, then left again
before proceeding
* Drive
defensively - expect other drivers to make mistakes and think what you would do
if a mistake does happen
* Leave
early and allow ample travel time.
If you find yourself on the road with an aggressive driver, try to get out of
their way safely, do not attempt to catch up to them, and avoid eye contact and
ignore any gestures.
