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Southwest Florida is growing rapidly which is creating an increase in traffic and more pedestrians competing with road construction, repair, and improvements.  Pedestrians need to exercise caution around road construction because traffic patterns change, and drivers may be confused or disoriented. According to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “All of the aforementioned variables are capable of compromising pedestrian safety…especially for children walking to and from school and/or bus stops. As part of the ‘Safe Kids, Safe Schools’ initiative, a safe walk to school, and back home later in the day, is a non-negotiable component.”

Sheriff Marceno has the following tips for students to stay safe:

• Be alert – If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road facing traffic and as far from the roadway as possible and reasonable.
• Do not assume that drivers will abide by traffic laws and signs. Stop signs and red lights are not guarantees that drivers will stop. Make eye contact with drivers and always yield to oncoming vehicles.
• Exit vehicles from the passenger side, if possible.
• Crossing major roadways is dangerous because drivers are traveling at higher speeds, may have blind spots, and may not see pedestrians. At night, this is even more hazardous.

Sheriff Marceno suggests that parents spend time discussing pedestrian safety with school-aged children. “Please remind them that even adults are susceptible to these sorts of tragedies.”

Pedestrian Crash Data

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that Lee County had 205 pedestrian crashes with 10 of those being deadly as of June 2023. For the same period last year, there were 158 crashes. Of the crashes reported in 2023, the data says 106 came from the sheriff's office while 86 came from police departments. According to the Cape Coral Police Department information gathered for Fox 4, the city has had 53 pedestrian crashes since June 1, 2022. As of June 2023, the Fort Myers Police Department said it had two deadly crashes involving pedestrians.

In the United States, more than 60,000 pedestrians are injured each year. The following is just one example of a 2023 Lee County pedestrian accident.

• A child was hit by a car while walking to his bus stop on Luckett Road in Fort Myers in February 2023. The Lee County School District reported the elementary school student returned home to retrieve something he had forgotten. He was struck by a car while walking back to the bus stop.

8 Safety Tips for Drivers to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents

Drivers can avoid hitting pedestrians. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers the following 8 safety tips:

1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
2. Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
3. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
4. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
5. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see them.
6. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
7. Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones, and in neighborhoods where children are present.
8. Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.

Fort Myers Pedestrian Accident Law Firm Assists Accident Victims

“Should you or a loved one be injured because of the negligence of another, please contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. 24/7 after seeking medical attention. We have the experience and legal team ready to assist you, and there are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers Pedestrian Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.