FHP, LCSO to conduct Operation P.E.D.S. Thursday in North Fort Myers
This Thursday, May 11, the Florida Highway Patrol along with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will conduct Operation P.E.D.S. (Pedestrian Education and Developing Safety details) on State Road 78 (Bayshore Road) between the intersection of U.S. 41 and Business 41. The detail will commence at noon and conclude at 2 p.m. Troopers will be looking for pedestrian, bicycle and motorist violations that occur at or near intersections.
In 2016, there has been over 270 pedestrian and bicycle crashes involving injuries and 19 bicycle / pedestrian fatalities in Lee County. The purpose of this detail is 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. 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 Boulevard), Lee Boulevard, Estero Boulevard and State Road 78 (Bayshore Road).
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.