Published on Monday, July 9, 2007
in the Ft. Myers News-Press

Four Lee traffic deaths over holiday

Four people died on Lee County roads during the extended Fourth of July holiday. The crashes involved speeding, running red lights or standing in the roadway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Although many people returned to work Thursday after Wednesday’s July Fourth celebrations, law enforcement expected increased traffic problems as others took to the roads for an extended week’s holiday.

So far this year, Lee County has fared the worst of the 10 counties in FHP’s Troop F district, which also includes Sarasota and Manatee counties.

By 3:12 p.m. Sunday, there were seven traffic fatalities in the troop’s district: three in Lee, one in Sarasota, two in Manatee and one in Desoto County.

Also, Fort Myers police handled a fatal crash on Winkler Avenue Extension on Wednesday night.

“We didn’t do too well in Lee County. I’m disappointed,” said Jay Anderson, founder of Stay Alive Just Drive, a local crash prevention and awareness program formed in January 2006. The group aims to prevent injuries and deaths on the road, especially during holidays.

Troopers warned of the increased dangers of holiday driving, citing 2006 statewide holiday fatality statistics.

During last year’s five-day Independence Day holiday, 48 people were killed in crashes statewide. Fifty-nine percent of those drivers and passengers weren’t wearing seat belts.

Also, 55 percent of the fatal traffic crashes were alcohol-related, FHP statistics show. During the holiday, drivers are more likely to drink alcohol, be tired and have to deal with congested roads, said Lt. John Tower of the highway patrol.

“It’s a real long holiday period, and a lot of people take extra time off, drink a lot of beer. If they’re traveling, a lot of those people are fatigued,” Tower said.

Troopers stepped up patrols to watch traffic until midnight Sunday, the end of their designated five-day holiday period.