Published on Sunday, February 27, 2005
in the Lakeland Ledger

Deaths On Road Rising

LAKELAND -- Traffic deaths in Polk County increased last year, and the surge shows no signs of slowing this year.

In 2004, 134 people died on Polk roads, compared with 116 in 2003 -- a 16 percent rise.

So far this year, 38 people have died in wrecks, compared with 22 this time last year -- a 73 percent increase.

"We're seeing a rise in total disregard for human life and property," said Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Larry Coggins. "As we continue to see that, we see terrible crashes and deaths."

Statewide, traffic deaths are up 35 percent, Coggins said.

In an effort to curb traffic deaths, state and local law enforcement agencies are putting more manpower on the streets.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers kicked off "Operation Safe Ride" throughout the state Thursday.

Troopers will target reckless drivers on the state's highways.

In a separate campaign, Polk County sheriff's deputies teamed up with police officers Thursday, targeting aggressive drivers on U.S. 27, from U.S. 60 to Interstate 4.

Deputies enlisted the help of area agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol and the Lake Wales, Lake Alfred, Lakeland, Haines City, Winter Haven, Fort Meade and Bartow police departments, along the 25-mile stretch.

The agencies will work together the fourth Thursday of every month, trying to deter reckless driving, said sheriff's Sgt. Herb Bennett.

Officers issued 150 citations Thursday, mostly, speeding violations, Bennett said.

Law enforcement officers consider U.S. 27, Central Florida's main north-south artery, the county's deadliest highway.

Last year, 24 people died in wrecks along U.S. 27.

Three people have died in traffic crashes on the highway so far this year.

Bennett said drivers sometimes ignore construction on the highway, causing crashes and deaths.

"We have several points of construction, and people continue to drive in the construction areas," said Bennett, who called U.S. 27 a "problem child."

Driver and pedestrian error account for most -- if not all -- the traffic deaths in Polk, Coggins said.

Drivers who forget to buckle up, keep their eyes on the road or maintain other bad driving habits increase the risk of fatal crashes, he said.

Coggins said it's a hard pill for FHP and other agencies to swallow.

"It's disconcerting to our troopers when we know the primary cause is driver or pedestrian error," he said.

"But we can't give up, and we're not going to give up."