Published on Monday, October 10, 2005
in the WESH News

Officers Put 'Brakes' On Traffic Fatalities

Several law enforcement officers will be on the highway Monday as part of a plan to keep people safe on Central Florida's roadways.

Experts say a fatal car crash occurs somewhere in the U.S. every 13 minutes. As the traffic increases in Central Florida, so does the danger, WESH 2 News reported.

"Law enforcement would like to see one day where we don't have somebody die from a traffic crash," said Kim Miller, of the Florida Highway Patrol.

As part of an effort to prevent car crashes, Monday is being recognized as "Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day."

A crash claimed the life of a 9-year-old boy back in June after police said a driver lost control while switching lanes. Law enforcement will be cracking down on any driving behavior that could lead to such tragedy on Monday.

"Of the 96 fatalities that the Highway Patrol has worked this year, 26 of those have involved being in a single-vehicle crash, which means that driver has either been impaired or lost control," Miller said.

It was a single car crash back in August that claimed the life of a 28-year-old man who lost control in front of a day care on University Boulevard. A day-care van roll-over in Lake County in June claimed the life of a little boy. Reports indicate that the driver may have been distracted by a bee in the van.

Then there are also pedestrian crashes. Angelica and Victoria Velez were killed last year as their mother tried to cross Goldenrod Road. They were hit by a woman who allegedly ran a red light.

Investigators said one of the greatest threats on the roads is drivers' refusal to wear a seat belt.

"That seat belt is the difference between you going to the morgue or going to the hospital," Miller said.