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Alicia Roberts, Jim Palmer and 98 Rock’s Buckethead

JP Peterson and Alicia Roberts hosting Saturday Night at The Trop

JP Peterson and Alicia Roberts on the Big Screen

JP Peterson and Alicia Roberts on the Big Screen

Special thanks to Heather French and the entire Devil Rays organization for their hospitality to me Saturday night at the Rays’ game.  JP Peterson and I hosted Saturday Night at Tropicana Field.  It was a special evening honoring Orioles’ Hall of Fame pitcher, Jim Palmer (check out the top picture above).  And to top it all off, the Rays bats matched the temperature outside… HOT! HOT! HOT!  Our hometown boys beat the Orioles 9-2.  Go Rays!!!

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Video: Teen Driving

With the start of school just a few weeks away, many teens will be driving to class, some for the first time.  And while most of us drive somewhere everyday, for teens, getting behind the wheel is the most deadly thing they can do. 

Research has identified motor vehicles crashes as the leading cause of death in the United States for teens 16 to 21-year-olds. And statistics show more passengers in a car with a teen driver means more accidents. 

Plant City Representative Rich Glorioso has been a long time proponent of teen driving safety and talked with me recently about the critical role of communication from parents.  He believes parents need to actively talk with, coach, monitor and set boundaries for their teen drivers.  And while new technology such as DriveCams can record risky driving behavior, Representative Glorioso believes that these measures are merely a band-aid for a lack of proper training and information.  He supports teen driving contracts instead. 

Parentingteendrivers.com is a free public service website where you can download a sample Teen Driving Agreement.  If you have other suggestions or resources for parents and teen drivers, please feel free to post your comments and suggestions below.

Safe Travels.
Alicia

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Every week I receive dozens about so called traffic traps along portions of 275, 75, many local thoroughfares and the area bridges.  Traffic traps are a very specific term and are even illegal in many states, not including Florida.  These traffic traps are defined as “traffic enforcement measures designed to raise revenue rather than prevent crashes.”

However, recently we have received calls about several patrols and perhaps questionable traffic stops around the bay area including along I-275 and in St. Pete.  But according to AAA, at this time, all of the tickets that they have seen are fairly written in areas where patrols warrant.  The only officially designated as traffic traps in the us snag drivers along us 301 north of gainsville in the towns of Waldo and Lawtey. 

And so while technically all traffic stops in the bay area are legitimate, of course it is helpful to know the areas most often patrolled just to be careful… and I have sat down and researched several sites and compiled all of the emails that I have received in a list of the most popular speed enforcement zones in the bay area (see below).  Also, if you feel that you have been unfairly ticketed, AAA is a resource for drivers, you can contact the local branch of AAA by visiting their website at http://www.aaasouth.com. 

BAY AREA ENFORCEMENT AREAS
Apollo Beach, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 75
Nearest Reference Point: Big Bend Road
Unmarked police monitor drivers along north and southbound I-75 between SR 674 and Big Bend Rd.

Arcadia, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Highway 70
Nearest Reference Point: east of the state prison Landmark
Along State Road 70 east of Arcadia just past the State Prison, FHP often patrol. 

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Route 64
Nearest Reference Point: East 7th Street
Speed limit goes from 50mph to 45mph to 35mph within 4 blocks.

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 75
Nearest Reference Point: St. Petersburg Exit
Along I-75, watch for white speed markers as you approach the exit sign that reads “St. Petersburg/Palmetto 2 miles.”

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: 63rd Street
Nearest Reference Point: 14th st Street
Watch for speed and moving violation patrols at this intersection.

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bayshore Gardens Parkway
Nearest Reference Point: 41 US Highway
The officers sit by the Goodwill Store and patrol regularly and often for speeding and other moving violations. 

Bradenton, Florida
Enforcement Location: Tamiami Trail
Nearest Reference Point: Just North of Airport Landmark
Time of Day: PM Rush Hour
One or two Bradenton police cars often sit on the east side of US 41 just north of the airport.

Brandon, Florida
Enforcement Location: Faulkenburg Road
Nearest Reference Point: Palm River Road
An officer will check cars heading toward Adamo Drive on Faulkenburg Road.

Brandon, Florida
Enforcement Location: Parsons Road
Nearest Reference Point: State Road 60
There is an unmarked cruiser, usually dark green in color, parked next to the Day Care between Wheeler and Jersey Avenues around noon. 

Brandon, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Highway 60
Nearest Reference Point: S. Kings Avenue
If you heading east on Lumsden Road, there is a marked car in the Oak Park Plaza just before South Kings Ave every Sunday morning around 8am. 

Brooksville, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate I-75
Nearest Reference Point: Exit Number 301N
Watch for speed enforcement zones near US 301 northbound and US 98.

Brooksville, Florida
Enforcement Location: Yontz Road
Nearest Reference Point: 41 US Highway
Type of Enforcement: Radar
State Troopers consistently monitor Yontz Road. The speed limit is 35mph and 40mph.

Brooksville, Florida
Enforcement Location: 41 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: Broad Street
This 6-lane stretch of southbound US 41 through Wiscon Rd is heavily patrolled.

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: Hercules Avenue
Nearest Reference Point: Montclair Road
Motorcycle officers set up their operation in the north driveway of the Lutheran Church across from the Valencia Groves Park. The speed limit is 35mph.

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: McMullen Booth Road
Nearest Reference Point: Bayside Bridge Landmark
Police frequently enforce the speed limit along the Bayside Bridge.

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: Countryside Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Enterprise Road
Officers have been noted to sit near the Countryside Golf Course, where the speed limit changes from 45mph to 40mph. 

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: Main Street
Nearest Reference Point: McMullen Booth Road
Officers frequently patrol this intersection for speeders and other moving violations.

Clearwater, Florida
Enforcement Location: McMullen Both Road
Nearest Reference Point: Hwy 60
Motorcycle police enforce speeds for northbound traffic just coming off of McMullen Booth.  The speed limit changes here from 55mph to 45 mph.

Clearwater Beach, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Highway 60
Nearest Reference Point: State Highway 60
Clearwater Police heavily monitor the Causeway Bridge.

Dade City, Florida
Enforcement Location: 301 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: US 98 US Highway
Going North on US 301, speed limit changes from 55mph to 50mph..

Dunedin, Florida
Enforcement Location: Keene Road
Nearest Reference Point: Country Lakes Drive
Watch for speed and moving violation patrols at this intersection.

Gibsonton/Apollo Beach, Florida
Enforcement Location: 41 South US Highway
From Gibsonton to Apollo Beach, watch for patrols along SB US 41. 

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Busch Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: North Florida Avenue
Just after crossing the railroad tracks heading east on Busch Boulevard, watch for motorcycle patrols. 

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: North 42nd Street
Nearest Reference Point: Between Fletcher & Bruce B Downs Crossing
County Sheriff vehicles (car and/or more often motorcycles) patrol often here.  The speed limit is 30 mph, while the prevailing speed when no enforcement is present is 35-50mph. 

Hudson, Florida
Enforcement Location: Clayton Street
Nearest Reference Point: Hudson Avenue
Police monitor drivers for turning before coming to a complete stop on Hudson Avenue.  The speed limit on Hudson Avenue is 45mph and then becomes 30mph on Clayton Street. 

Hudson, Florida
Enforcement Location: Clocktower Road
Nearest Reference Point: 19 US Highway
Police regularly patrol Clocktower Road with speed checks to enforce the 30mph speed limit.

Inverness, Florida
Enforcement Location: SR 581
Nearest Reference Point: BP Mini Mart Landmark
The County Sheriff will run radar or laser along SR 581 approaching the BP Mini Mart at Arbor Drive.

Inverness, Florida
Enforcement Location: Turner Camp Road
Turner Camp is a dead end road 6 miles long. Watch for officers past the short hill.  They patrol for speeders in the approximately 1 mile straight-away. 

Lakeland, Florida
Enforcement Location: West Memorial Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Overpass Bridge Landmark
Be conscious of your speeds along West Memorial Boulevard, as an officer usually sits in a parking lot approx. 100-150 yards from the end of the bridge.

Lakeland, Florida
Enforcement Location: Brunnell Parkway
Nearest Reference Point: Parker Street
Officers typically sit at the top of the hill on Brunnell Parkway and watch for speeders coming up from the lake. 

Lakeland, Florida
Enforcement Location: Memorial Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Old Red Lobster Landmark
Officers park near the old Red Lobster. The speed limit coming West on Memorial Blvd/92 East around Lake Parker is 45mph and then drops to 35mph right after the old Red Lobster.

Land O’ Lakes, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Road 54
Nearest Reference Point: State Highway 41
Time of Day: Late night
Police will be positioned along State Road 54 near the Wal-Mart.  The speed limit here is 45 mph. 

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Lake Avenue
Watch for intermittent patrols along Lake Avenue.

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: 19 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: State Route 686 East Bay Dr.
Units normally sit just north of East Bay Drive on US 19 where the speed limit falls from 55mph to 45mph. 

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Missouri Avenue
Nearest Reference Point: East Bay Drive
Time of Day: AM Rush Hour
As you drive southbound, LPD sits across from Largo High School anywhere between Rosary Road and East Bay Drive. 

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Clearwater-Largo Road
Nearest Reference Point: West Bay Drive
Time of Day: AM Rush Hour
Officers patrol Clearwater-Largo Road many mornings around 6:30 AM.  They sit across from Mildred-Helms Elementary School.

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bryan Dairy Road
Nearest Reference Point: Belcher Road
Time of Day: AM Rush Hour
Type of Enforcement: Radar
Officers often monitor eastbound traffic on Bryan Dairy Rd through Belcher Road. The speed limit is 45mph but cars run regularly at 60mph.

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: Ulmerton Road
Nearest Reference Point: 130th Avenue
As you drive along Ulmerton Road between 119th Street & Vonn Road, watch for patrols along the construction zone and in the EMS building’s parking lot.

Largo, Florida
Enforcement Location: East Bay Drive
Nearest Reference Point: Starkey Road
Time of Day: Any time of day
Several marked patrol cars will park in businesses along East Bay Drive on the westbound side to watch for speeders.  The speed limit drops to 40mph here.

Longboat Key, Florida
Enforcement Location: Gulf of Mexico Drive
Do not drive faster than 5 MPH over the limit or you will get stopped anywhere along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Lutz, Florida
Enforcement Location: Simmons Road
Nearest Reference Point: South of Van ##### Road
Motorcycle deputies wait on the east side of Simmons Road to monitor northbound traffic. 

Lutz, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Highway 41
Nearest Reference Point: Newberger Street
Time of Day: Late night
A deputy may sit in one lane of the northbound traffic to catch southbound speeders. 

Manatee County, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 75
Nearest Reference Point: Mile Marker 230-235
This is a heavily patrolled region of I-75 through Manatee County. 

Mulberry, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Road 60
Nearest Reference Point: Old Highway 60 Landmark
Police will sit on SR 37 and 60, watching for speeders.

Myakka City, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Road 70
Nearest Reference Point: Wachula Road
Traveling between Parmalee and Myakka City heading East on SR 70, watch for speeding checkpoints just prior to Myakka City.

New Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bruce B Downs Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Interstate 75
A state trooper often sits under I-75 on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. 

New Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Cross Creek Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Bruce B Downs Boulevard
Watch for speed and other moving violation patrols at this intersection.

New Tampa , Florida
Enforcement Location: Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
Watch for frequent speed patrols near the Live Oak Preserve and Wharton High School. 

Oldsmar, Florida
Enforcement Location: Tampa Road
Nearest Reference Point: Racetrack Road
Pinellas County Deputies heavily monitor this intersection. 

Oldsmar, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Route 580
Nearest Reference Point: Oldsmar Bridge Landmark
Unmarked patrol units heavily monitor this bridge for speeders. 

Oldsmar/Safety Harbor, Florida
Enforcement Location: State Route 580
Nearest Reference Point: Bridge Landmark
Type of Enforcement: Radar, Laser
Officers regularly enforce the 45mph speed limit along SR 58o between Oldsmar and Safety Harbor.

Palm Harbor, Florida
Enforcement Location: McMullen Booth Road
Nearest Reference Point: Just North of Tampa Road Landmark
Pinellas County Deputies heavily monitor this intersection.

Palm Harbor, Florida
Enforcement Location: 19 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: Curlew Road
Unmarked police cars monitor southbound US 19 traffic in the Ferman parking lot.

Palm Harbor, Florida
Enforcement Location: Alderman Road
Nearest Reference Point: State Highway 19/Alt. 19
Officers frequently enforce the 35mph speed limit along Alderman Road d between US and Alternate 19. 

Palmetto, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bus. 41 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: Mobil Gas Station Landmark
Heading south on 41 in Palmetto, officers sometimes sit across the street from the new Mobil to monitor speeders.

Pinellas County , Florida
Enforcement Location: Trinity Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: East Lake Road
Watch your speed when you turn onto Trinity Blvd eastbound from East Lake Rd.  The speed limit is only 45mph on Trinity Boulevard versus 55 mph on East Lake Road. 

Pinellas County, Florida
Enforcement Location: Park Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Seminole Boulevard
Watch for speed and other moving violation patrols at this intersection.

Pinellas County, Florida
Enforcement Location: McMullen Booth Road
Nearest Reference Point: 60 West Road
A motorcycle officer will often patrol McMullen Booth Road, the Bayside Bridge and Gulf to Bay Boulevard.

Pinellas County, Florida
Enforcement Location: 28th AVE N to Gandy Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Roosevelt Boulevard
Be very careful when driving along 28th Avenue North in unincorporated Pinellas County.  The speed limit is only 45mph. 

Pinellas County, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 275
Nearest Reference Point: NB approach to Howard Frankland Bridge Landmark
Heavy FHP presence starting at the Ulmerton Road on-ramp heading northbound on I-275 toward the bridge.

Pinellas Park, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bryan-Dairy Road
Nearest Reference Point: 66th Street Overpass Road
Watch for frequent multi-agency enforcement on Bryan-Dairy Road, east of the 66th Street overpass.

Polk, Florida
Enforcement Location: Cypress Parkway (580)
Nearest Reference Point: Marigold Street
Watch for speed zone along the Cypress Parkway (580) from Haines City to Marigold Avenue.

Jurisdiction (city, county, etc.): Riverview, Florida
Enforcement Location: 301 US Highway
Nearest Reference Point: Faulkenburg Road
Time of Day: Mid-day
Officers can post at the entrance of Progressive (Crescent View Drive) during lunch hour.

Saint Petersburg, Florida
Enforcement Location: 9th Street
Nearest Reference Point: 38th - 54th Avenue
9th Street goes from 40mph to 35mph at 54th Avenue.

Saint Petersburg, Florida
Enforcement Location: Gandy Boulevard
Nearest Reference Point: Interstate 275 onramp/exit
Officers often patrol under I-275.

San Antonio, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 75
Watch for speed patrols along I-75 through San Antonio. 

Sarasota, Florida
Enforcement Location: Siesta Drive
Nearest Reference Point: State Highway 301
This is a heavily patrolled intersection. 

Sarasota, Florida
Enforcement Location: St. Armands Circle
This is a heavily patrolled intersection. 

Sarasota, Florida
Enforcement Location: McIntosh Road
Nearest Reference Point: Bahia Vista Street
This is a heavily patrolled intersection. 

St. Petersburg, Florida
Enforcement Location: 38th Avenue
Nearest Reference Point: 58th Street
Watch for morning patrols near the intersection of 58th Street North and 38th Avenue North.

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: 50th Street
Nearest Reference Point: Fowler Avenue
1/2 mile south of Fowler Avenue, officers patrol for speeders. 

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Fletcher Avenue
Nearest Reference Point: 75 US Highway
Watch for speed enforcement anywhere on Fletcher Ave from I-75 west to 56th Street.

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 275
Nearest Reference Point: Southbound approaching Bearss.
Watch for heavy speed enforcement into Bearss along southbound 275.

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Orient Road
Nearest Reference Point: Orient Rd. Jail Landmark
Speed limits are heavily enforced along Orient Road. 

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Bayshore Boulevard
Speed limits are heavily enforced along Bayshore Boulevard.

Tampa, Florida
Enforcement Location: Interstate 4
Watch for speed enforcement along eastbound I-4 between 50th Street and MLK Boulevard.

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WOW!  As many of you may have heard me mention, on Wednesday, Matt and I took the drive out to Cape Canaveral to see my first shuttle launch.  And what an amazing sight it was to watch Endeavour blast off from Kennedy Space Center. 

The weather was perfect for the crew.  At exactly 6:36 p.m., the sunset sky glowed from the fiery burst of energy that sent Endeavour soaring.  And what you can’t fully hear or feel when you are watching it on television is the amazing sound and vibrations that rumble the entire earth below as the shuttle climbs upward toward the sound barrier. 

I am really glad I had the chance to experience this ... and check out our pictures below.  We had a perfect view of the action, sitting on the west side of the Indian River directly across from Kennedy.  Good luck to all members of the Endeavour mission! 

And by the way, a big thank you to Ryan (my all-star morning producer) with TBO Traffic ... he gave me the best directions to the east coast and helped me score a great shot of the shuttle.  Ryan, I definitely owe you a cup of coffee.... thanks

Endeavour’s Picture Perfect Launch

Endeavour Leaving Kennedy Space Center

Endeavour Lights up the Sunset Sky

Matt and I Before the Endeavour Launch

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Alicia Roberts with members of the Tampa Carrollwood Rotary Club

Special thanks to the members of the Tampa Carrollwood Rotary Club for their hospitality to me.  On Friday, I was invited to speak at their weekly meeting - we talked shop: Channel 8 gossip, traffic and life!  It was a lovely afternoon of good food and company!

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This July, the State of Virginia increased the monetary penalties for Virginia drivers caught speeding on Virginia roadways.  For those drivers speeding 20 MPH or more over the designated speed limit… tickets will be issued in the amounts of $1050 up to more than $3000.  It is a measure voted upon to avoid raising taxes for roadway projects.

We want to know what you think?  Is this excessive?  Is this fair for those with limited income?  What does it say if the state is relying on these offenders for their income?  Should Florida enact such a policy to avoid another tax hike?  Post your thoughts here…

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Fletcher Avenue Railroad Construction
Get Live Traffic Updates

While Pinellas County drivers know all too well now about the hassle of highway work given the recent projects along McMullen Booth and Bryan Dairy Roads, Hillsborough County Drivers have been spared this summer… that is until now. 

It’s frustrating news for the nearly 60,000 drivers who use Fletcher Avenue each day – CSX railroad officials will be shutting it down beginning Thursday morning to make repairs on the Nebraska Avenue railroad crossing.  I spoke with Steve Valdez, Hillsborough County’s Communications Manager, about the upcoming work:
“What we have here is a railroad track that spans the whole roadway that literally is jumping up and down as cars go over it,
and it has become an unsafe condition.”

As a result of these safety concerns, crews will begin a 1 month project that will close Fletcher Avenue just east of Nebraska Avenue in order to replace the crossing and raise the railbed. Motorists should plan for extensive delays in the area and choose an alternate route if possible including Bearss Avenue to the north and 131st and Fowler Avenue to the south. 

County officials do note the hassle of this closure and promise to work as quickly as possible.  Offficials typically try to schedule major construction projects during the summer to avoid the extra traffic from the school year and tourist season.  And although the Fletcher project is scheduled to wrap up August 19th, one day before the start of classes for Hillsborough county students, Steve wants to ease the worries of many parents and students:
“This roadway will be opened up by August 20th, the first day of school.  Whatever it takes it will be open.”

For more information on the Fletcher Avenue railroad construction, call Hillsborough County’s telephone hotline at (813) 635 – 5400.

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VIDEO: 4th of July Drunk Driving

I would first like to take a moment to thank Ruth and Drew Finn, Travis’s parents, for sharing their story with me and the Tampa community.  My sincere and deepest expression of appreciation for their strength to tell Travis’ story with the hope other families might be spared their grief. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 4th of July holiday weekend is the deadliest for drunk driving related crashes, even more so than New Year’s.  Furthermore, according to research from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, alcohol-related traffic deaths are at an all time high.  17,941 people nationwide died in 2006, and that number is up by 2.4 percent from 2005.  Here in Florida, the latest research from 2005 shows that 1,471 people died in that year as a result of drunk drivers.

Don Murray, Florida’s Executive Director of MADD, says the best defense to prevent drunk driving is to plan ahead:
“The problem frankly is that when you drink, your judgment goes away and you don’t think you are impaired… and once the judgment goes, you feel perfectly content to and confident that your abilities to drive are not impaired.  People have to understand that that is the first clue that there’s trouble.”

Don encourages everyone this 4th of July to select a designated driver or chip in for a cab or other form of transportation.  For more information on drunk driving related initiatives, legislation, resources and statistics, visit MADD’s website at http://www.madd.org. 

The following is a partial list of cab services available throughout the metro Tampa area and its suburbs.

Affordable Taxi (727) 733-3333, 2647 Harbor Cir, Clearwater, FL

Action Cab & Shuttle (727) 845-3090, New Port Richey, FL

United Cab Company (813) 253-2424, 1701 W Cass St, Tampa

Yellow Cab (813) 253-3590, 502 N Oregon Ave, Tampa

A Americab Taxi, (813) 837-4455, 506 N Archer St, Tampa

ABC Taxi (813) 872-8294, 1701 W Cass St, Tampa

Florida Taxi (727) 896-5008, Tampa

Gulf Coast Transportation (813) 251-3107, 1701 W Cass St, Tampa

Cab Plus Incorporated, (813) 250-0990, Hyde Park, Tampa

Tampi Taxi Incorporated, (813) 888-5008, 4105 N Florida Ave, Tampa

United Cab Company (813) 251-6494, 1701 W Cass St, Tampa

Wishing you and your family a safe and relaxing 4th.
Alicia

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Okay, so this is not really traffic related, but I just had to share.  Earlier this week, News Channel 8 viewer Aimee Montanye sent me the sweetest email (see below) about her son Mason.  It made my morning.  He is such a cutie pie… just check out the picture.  Thanks Aimee and Mason!

Received: June 26, 2007
Subject: Your youngest admirer

Hi Alicia!

I just have to tell you that every time you report the traffic, my 8 month-old son, Mason stops what ever he’s doing, and watches you intently. As soon as you are done, he goes back to playing. It is so funny! I’ve been noticing this for about a month, and I thought you would like to hear that you are my son’s first crush

Thanks for brightening up our mornings!

Aimee

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Video: Car Warranties

Warranties ease the burdens of what if.  But peace of mind doesn’t always come cheap, especially in the auto world…

Rick Hibbs, Regional Director of the Department of Financial Services, recently sat down me to talk about the pros and pitfalls of extended car warranties.

Experts agree, first and foremost, when purchasing an extended warranty, make sure you thoroughly read through the contract and terms.  Before you sign on the dotted line, you should verify if the warranty company is licensed to do business in the state of Florida.  Before Rick advises every consumer to “background check” your potential warranty company by calling the Florida Department of Financial Services Consumer Helpline at 1-800-342-2762.  This hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm.  It is a free call.

Additionally, other points you should consider when purchasing an extended warranty include:
• How long you have had and plan to keep your vehicle
• How many miles you drive each year
• Whether you plan to solely lease or eventually buy. 
• Bumper to bumper typically does not include wear and tear items
• Don’t be pressured into buying a warranty when you purchase or lease your vehicle, some companies offer this option at a later time.
• A big trend today is online or mail warranty solicitations… while they may be cheaper you have to make sure a company is licensed here in Florida… remember if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

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Ut-oh!  Pinellas County drivers, brace yourselves.  CSX transportation officials will be conducting another railroad crossing upgrade along a busy stretch of Bryan Dairy Road… and you know what that means… closures. 

In fact, beginning Friday, June 29th, Bryan Dairy Road will be shut down at the railroad crossing just west of Belcher Road for a maximum 21 day period.  Crews will work around the clock replacing the rail bed to ensure this intersection is safe for commuters. 

Projects officials recommend Belcher, Starkey and Ulmerton Roads for alternate routes. Variable message signs will help warn drivers of the closure and detours.

And just like the Mcmullen Booth upgrade earlier this month, officials planned this project after the school year and tourist season to try and reduce the resulting traffic jams.  As you’ll recall, that project wrapped up more than a week early, and officials hope to once again complete work on Bryan Dairy Road before or at least on-time.

For more information on the Bryan Dairy Road upgrade, call Pinellas County’s Roadwork Hotline at (727) 453 – 3320 or visit http://www.pinellascounty.org/roadwork.htm.

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Mmmm… pancakes are always a yummy way to start your day… and now I have a yummy deal for you!  Select Village Inn Restaurants throughout the Bay area are helping to take a “bite” out of gas prices.  Beginning today through July 31, 2007, it’s all-you-can-eat pancakes for the price you pay for a gallon of gas. Just show your server your gas receipt. 

The offer is available at participating locations only and is not valid with other offers or promotional discounts (including Senior Discount). For gas receipts not stating price per gallon, cost will be the state’s average price for regular gas based on prior week’s data from http://www.gasbuddy.com, Village Inn’s partner in this all-you-can-eat pancake promotion.  Minimum price $2.99 per gallon.

The following is a list of participating Florida Village Inn Restaurants: Brandon, Dade City, Jacksonville, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Neptune Beach, New Port Richey, Orlando (John Young Parkway location only), Riverview, Sarasota, Sebring, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg and Tampa (excluding 30th Street, Hillsborough or Dale Mabry locations).

For more information, visit Village Inn’s website at http://www.villageinnrestaurants.com/promo/gasrelief.html

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Pinellas County officials are hoping you’ll see more green the next time you’re driving along their highways thanks to a new technology called smart traffic signals. 

And Commissioner Karen Seel has been instrumental in making Pinellas County smart. The Commissioner helped persuade legislators to pass the one-cent gas tax to partially fund the Advanced Traffic Management System and smart traffic signals.  These smart signals can be automatically changed by a traffic flow specialist to stay green longer in response to real time road conditions.  The goal is to ease jam-ups. 

With this technology, drivers are also alerted of incidents and closures on variable message boards.

Currently the smart traffic signals are up and running in Northern Pinellas County including along us 19, Mcmullen Booth Road and Gulf to Bay Boulevard.  When the entire 85 million dollar project is complete by 2015, over 200 cameras will make more than 450 signals smart through St. Pete up to the Pasco County Line.

And Commissioner Seel also noted that information received from the cameras will be used for traffic control purposes only and not law enforcement.  For more information on the smart traffic signals, visit Pinellas County’s website at http://www.pinellascounty.org.  You can also view the cameras live on Pinellas TV 18 during the 7am and 4pm hours.

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Video: Bike safety

With summer just about in full swing, kids of all ages grab their bicycles and get out along Bay area roadways.  Thanks to Michael Moule, President of Liveable Streets, for all of his safety recommendations. 

If you are considering bicycling as your mode of transportation and are ever in need of an emergency ride home, don’t forget about the Emergency Ride Home Program which provides a free taxi ride home from work in the event of illness, unscheduled overtime or a family emergency.

If you have any questions concerning the program or if you would like to enroll, please contact Bay Area Commuter Services at 1-800-998-RIDE (7433).

And for additional cycling resources here in the Tampa area, visit the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s website at http://www.tampasdowntown.com/Default.aspx?S=4&P=3.

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YIPPEE!!!!  Okay, so it is official, I am a major traffic geek.  But I do have to admit I was very excited to hear of the early reopening of McMullen Booth Road.  The Pinellas County Public Works Director of Transportation announced Thursday that railroad and roadway repairs have been completed and all lanes of McMullen Booth Road just north of Ruth Eckerd Hall and south of State Road 590 are once again open to traffic. 

The early opening was made possible by the following combined factors: 
· Favorable weather conditions, in particular lack of electricity-conducting lightning
· Extremely strong cooperation between Pinellas County’s contractor, E.L. Trevena, Inc., the county’s engineering consultant, TBE Group, and CSXT
· Around-the-clock availability of Pinellas County’s contractor
· Pinellas County contractor aid in the movement and placement of the main section of tracks, by supplying CSTX with multiple pieces of heavy equipment and labor
· Extensive coordination and assistance from multiple divisions within Public Works (i.e.) Engineering, Construction Administration, Traffic Engineering, Highway, etc.
· Advanced Traffic Management System/Intelligent Transportation System (ATMS/ITS) utilized on Gulf to Bay and US 19
· Extensive public information campaign that included multiple variable message signs placed at high-traffic intersections and roadways, citizen and business project information mailers and public service announcements
· Monitored traffic flow by Sheriff’s helicopter
· Hired “work train” to accelerate the rail compaction/leveling process
· Coordination with impacted cities and surrounding counties

As you can recall, this road closure began on May 25th and was scheduled to run through 15th. 

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