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Florida’s population is increasing every day. According to WalletHub’s 2018 article titled “Fastest Growing Cities in America” which was released on October 1, 2018, Fort Myers ranked number one, and Lehigh Acres ranked number seven. The WalletHub research compared 515 cities of different sizes and used fifteen key measures of growth and decline over a period of seven years. The experts agree that rapid growth can have both positive and negative effects. One of the negative effects we see in Lee County is the increase in traffic accidents.

The News-Press reported in January 2018 that the Florida Department of Transportation allocated nearly $158 million for road work before the current fiscal year-end. Eight big road projects have happened, or are in the process of happening, in Lee County. These projects include State Road 82 (Colonial Boulevard/Lee Boulevard to Shawnee Road), U.S. 41/Cleveland Avenue State Road 82 (MLK), U.S. 41 (Alico Road to Daniels Parkway), Corkscrew Road/Interstate 75 interchange (Estero), and  Estero Boulevard (Fort Myers Beach).

Every day the media seems to report on accidents in our area. This is particularly true of Lehigh Acres. The roads in Lehigh Acres were not originally designed for the high growth, and Lee County is working to make changes. One of the changes Lee County made was at Gunnery Road and Lee Boulevard. Gunnery Road and Lee Boulevard have seen 17 accidents in two years because of left-hand turns at First Street West and Gunnery Road. Vehicles meet from every direction and turn left around traffic coming off the main traffic light on Lee Boulevard. Lee County recognized this accident-prone area as an area which needed to be redesigned, and in October the median was extended so left-hand turns cannot be made.

“Redesigning our roads is necessary to decrease accidents. However, during this time, drivers need to be particularly careful around construction areas,” said Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Here are some tips from WorkZoneSafety.org to assist you in navigating road construction sites.

• Know the work zone signs.Orange warning signs are there to help you and other drivers move safely through roadway construction zones.
• Obey flaggers.Flaggers are trained to move traffic safely through work zones, so pay attention to their direction.
• Obey posted speed limits.Speeding through work zones is a major cause for accidents and injuries. Many states have significantly increased fines for speeding. Pay attention to reduced speed limits and slow down.
• Pay attention to other drivers and objects.Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment, and workers. Watch out for sudden stops, merging traffic, and other work zone dangers.
• Stay focused and avoid distractions.Do not use cell phones or text while driving.     Avoid eating and other activities which may take your focus from the road.
• Expect the unexpected.Stay alert for lane or road surface changes, possible mobile work zones, and erratic driver behavior.
• Keep your cool and be patient.Work zones are necessary to improve the roads for everyone and to meet community needs.

“If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident, please contact our experienced team. We are available 24/7 and there are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Attorney Spivey.

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Cape Coral Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.