Safety Council

Engage Estero Safety Council is made of volunteers serving as a voice for the citizens of greater Estero on safety and transportation priorities and issues. We advocate for related solutions to Village, County, and State Government organizations.

Latest news…
Sign-Up for Property Fraud Alerts

Sign-Up for Property Fraud Alerts

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comprtroller Kevin Karnes is now offering an alert notification system for Lee County property owners to reduce fraud. When you sign-up, if a deed, mortgage, or other non-Court official record is recorded in your name, you will be...

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Environment Council

Engage Estero Environment Council is a volunteer group focusing on improving water and air quality and mitigating and eliminating the effects of climate warming in greater Estero.

Latest news…
Landmark Victory for Florida’s Future

Landmark Victory for Florida’s Future

Landmark victory for Florida’s future will impact the proposed Bellmar and Kingston Developments, as they cannot receive their permit through Florida’s flawed program. By the Conservancy of Southwest Florida with permission to Engage Estero. February 16, 2024 Federal...

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Health Council

Engage Estero Community Health Council comprises health* and safety-minded volunteers who think about community health comprehensively with a common desire to improve the overall health of the citizens of greater Estero.

Latest news…
Let’s Make Estero A HeartSafe Community!

Let’s Make Estero A HeartSafe Community!

The facts Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 300,000 lives annually. Approximately 95 percent of SCA victims die before they reach a hospital or receive medical attention. How Can We Help Reduce This...

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Wellness: What is it and Why is it Important?

Wellness: What is it and Why is it Important?

(Written by Lee Health for Engage Estero’s Health Council) Much has been mentioned on news programs and other media about Wellness. However, it is seldom explained or fully understood.  During a meeting of Engage Estero’s Health Council earlier this year when this...

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Education Council

Engage Estero mobilizes volunteers in our schools, sponsors scholarships, and promotes the involvement of the community through announcements and public forums.

Latest news…
Estero High Cambridge Students Recognized

Estero High Cambridge Students Recognized

By Mike Wasson, Director, Engage Estero The Village of Estero Council issued a Proclamation its Meeting on Wednesday, March 6th honoring 39 Estero High School Students who were presented the Cambridge Outstanding Learners Awards. In his remarks, Jon McLain, Village of...

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Updates on Issues of Impact

Engage Estero believes the best way to get a community involved is to make sure they are aware of the issues impacting their future, and know how to impact those decisions before they are made. We conduct and publish original research and articles aimed at getting residents Engaged.

Reducing Speed Matters

Especially in Construction Zones

Prepared by Mark Ruset, ECCL’s Co-Chair, Safety and Transportation Council

[1] National Safety Council (NSC) analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

https://safer-america.com

To enhance road safety in Estero, the ECCL would like to remind everyone of the dangers of excessive speed, especially when driving through a road construction zone.

It is not just the speed we drive but also the relative velocity to other vehicles, the types of vehicles sharing the road, the road conditions, and the skill variability of drivers we need to be aware of while we navigate our streets. A wide range of drivers uses Estero roads (new drivers to those 80+), different vehicle types (trucks, SUVs, large sedans, and bicycles), and in varying road conditions.

The exact relationship between speed and accidents depends on many factors. However, the relationship is proven: if the driving speeds increase, the accident rate also increases [1].  

The driver and passengers’ injuries in a collision are a direct result of the speed, the weight of the vehicles, and the “vulnerability” of the vehicles/road users involved. As speeds increase, crashes also result in more severe injuries for the driver who caused the crash and the innocent party. In a collision between a light vehicle and a heavier one, the occupants of the more lightweight vehicle are considerably worse off than the heavier vehicle. Pedestrians, cyclists, and moped riders in crashes with heavier motor vehicles fair badly!

Road Construction Dangers

Improvement in the road network in a location offers numerous benefits to drivers and residents. Unfortunately, while improvements are taking place, it also brings about many hazards. Construction areas need clear signs, warnings, and markers to help identify the dangers. Unfortunately, road construction sites are not always as organized with suitable signage. Even when they are, considerable risks are still present in construction zones.

Some of the greatest dangers linked to road construction include:

  • Loose rocks, gravel, and debris
  • Presence of machinery and other construction equipment
  • Confusing signage
  • Fallen cones and misplaced signs
  • Unsafe behavior by construction workers
  • Narrow lanes of traffic
  • Changes in familiar driving routes
  • Driver confusion and failure to properly navigate the construction area

How Common Are Car Accidents in Construction Zones?

road construction zone

The number of car accidents that occur in construction zones each year is not high compared to other types of car crashes. But, because only a tiny percent of the country’s roadways are under construction at any one time, accidents per mile are significantly higher. Unfortunately, the fatalities resulting from car crashes in work zones have been increasing considerably in recent years.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)[1], fatal crashes in work zones increased by 11 percent between 2018 and 2019, while deadly crashes outside work zones decreased by two percent. The total number of work zone crash fatalities in 2018 was 757. This number increased to 842 in 2019. According to the FHWA[2], most of these crashes occurred in construction zones on arterial roadways (high-capacity urban roads), followed closely by road construction sites on interstates.

Given the level of road construction projects in Estero, the ECCL would like to impress on everyone the need to be diligent and aware of their surroundings, especially in areas when major reconstruction is underway; this includes motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

 

 

[1] https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/resources/facts_stats.htm

[2] National Safety Council (NSC) analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 

https://safer-america.com