Florida Accident Attorney Blog

News media covering traffic accidents with injuries in Ft Myers, Florida report that a high school student was hospitalized this month after being struck by a sewerage truck near the school.

The Fort Myers pedestrian accident reportedly occurred on Sept. 23, when a 15-year-old male student attempted to cross Plantation Road to get to his ride waiting across the street. The teen was reportedly struck by a septic truck and was hospitalized for his injuries. The student was reported to be in fair condition following the pedestrian and commercial truck accident. Since the traffic accident, news sources report that parents are expressing concern about the safety of student drop-off and pick up areas surrounding the high school.

Fort Myers pedestrian accident lawyers may advise Lee County, Fla. families when a loved one has been injured or killed in a South Florida pedestrian traffic accident. An experienced Ft. Myers car accident injury attorney has knowledge regarding state traffic laws and liability, including those related to accidents occurring in school zones.

The media reports that in Fort Myers, deputies control traffic on school property, but not on Plantation Road where the student was struck by a commercial truck. The student was reportedly attempting to cross the street in a crosswalk.

Pedestrian and school safety advocates in Florida and around the U.S. warn that school zones are dangerous for students of all ages, particularly to younger children. The dangers are many -- school buses, parents' motor vehicles , and older students' cars coming and going; students hurrying to cross streets to meet friends and get to class; and everyone in a rush to get somewhere on time. The pedestrian safety advocates at WalkingInfo.org (see link below) report that the greatest number of student pedestrian traffic accidents occur when students attempt to cross the street. The organization recommends that,

Schools should develop "Safe Routes to School" walking and bicycle plans to serve all residences within the walking attendance boundary and work with local agencies to identify and correct traffic problem areas while developing these plans. These "Safe Route to School" walking and bicycling plans help to identify where traffic control (signs, traffic signals, crosswalks, adult guards, etc.) should be placed around the school and along school routes. Marked crosswalks can help guide children to the best routes to school with these plans.

In addition, school pedestrian safety advocates recommend proper signage in and around school property warning motor vehicles of student drop off hours; highly visible posted speed limits; and clearly marked areas for parents to know the proper places to drop off and pick up their youngsters.

Pedestrian safety advocates also recommend that law enforcement review the condition of sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic control devices prior to the start of the school year, to make sure everything is in repair and working properly. Schools are advised to work with parents and local law enforcement to make school zones safe for students of all ages and avoid motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.

Sources:

Problematic pick-up, drop-off at high school
NBC-2.com Sept. 23, 2011

Walkinfo.org : School Zone Improvements

Related Web Resources:

Florida Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Program

The 2011 Florida Statutes, Motor Vehicles, State Uniform Traffic Control:
316.130 Pedestrians; traffic regulations