Regional transportation planners are hoping to conduct in-depth safety audits of traffic fatalities in the Sarasota-Manatee area. Ranking as one of the most dangerous spots in the nation for pedestrians and bicyclists, Sarasota-Manatee saw 150 pedestrian deaths between 2005 and 2014.
The Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) announced in March that it is hoping to use leftover money from under-budget construction projects to fund its proposed audits. It could also draw resources from a $100 million safety fund allocated through the Florida Department of Transportation.
Pedestrian safety is nothing new for the region and the state of Florida overall. Smart Growth America’s Dangerous by Design report, which tabulates America’s most deadly roads, shows that eight of the top 10 most hazardous corridors for pedestrians are in the Sunshine State.
Looking for answers
The upcoming audits will analyze car accident records from local law enforcement agencies and emergency responders. Auditors will also visit spots where accidents are common and try to determine if there are any common problems that may lead to higher numbers of crashes. By analyzing this data, MPO officials hope to pinpoint the corridors that contribute to the region’s most dangerous pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
Once the MPO has collected its data and issued a report, it hopes local government agencies can use it to make key safety improvements and make roads safer for drivers, passengers, bike riders and people on foot.
For further guidance on what you should do after a serious accident in Florida, speak with a skilled Sarasota County personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.