Published on Friday, February 16, 2007
in the Highlands Today

POPULATION BOOM + TRAFFIC = INJURIES, DEATH

SEBRING — The Florida Highway Patrol blames a sharp spike in alcohol-related and other traffic deaths in Highlands County throughout the past five years on population growth.

“With Highlands County, you have a big influx of people during seasonal times. People are also coming from the coast and staying,” Lt. Doug Dodson said from Bradenton Thursday.

A greater number of traffic fatalities usually accompanies growth in any one area. But the number of traffic injuries and bicycle and pedestrians deaths and injuries either decreased in Highlands County or remained steady. The same cannot be said for the average number of motorcycle accidents.

Dodson said there’s a reason for a small increase in the average number of motorcycle-related deaths and a large increase in the number of motorcycle-related injuries.

He said the increase stems mostly from the state’s 2000 repeal of a law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets.

According to “Traffic Crash Stats 2005,” there were two motorcycle-related deaths in Highlands County in 2001. There were three in 2005.

Highlands County recorded 15 motorcycle-related injuries in 2001, but the number increased to 27 in 2005.

Those statistics and others were released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ “Traffic Crash Stats 2005.” The book was released this week and compiles traffic statistics for 2001-05 only.

The report contains data from traffic crash reports completed by state and local law enforcement agencies.

The report said the number of registered vehicles throughout the state increased by more than 500,000, while the number of licensed drivers increased by more than 250,000.

The number of traffic fatalities throughout Florida increased from 1.66 deaths per 100 million miles of travel in 2004 to 1.76 in 2005, according to the report.

Dodson said FHP officers plan a campaign targeting aggressive drivers beginning Feb. 28.

“We are on a constant campaign to reduce the number of injuries and deaths,” he said.