Take a look at this encouraging news from Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) ... so good to hear. Safe travels everyone and buckle up!
Alicia 
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FDOT announced last week statewide safety belt use reached a record 85.2 percent this year following FDOT’s 2009 Click It or Ticket safety belt campaign and the passage of the state’s primary enforcement law. The national safety belt use rate for 2009 is 84 percent.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates with the approval of its primary safety belt law, Florida will save 124 lives, prevent 1,733 serious injuries, and save $408 million in associated costs each year. Passage of the primary law means law enforcement can now stop drivers for the sole reason that someone is not wearing a safety belt.
Just five days after Florida’s law became primary on June 30, 2009, an observational survey of vehicles was undertaken. The results showed Florida’s rate had topped the national average for the first time. The numbers are encouraging especially considering the vast majority of the survey counties increased their safety belt usage rate over last year.
The survey also followed the focused Click It or Ticket campaign that took place May 11-June 1. During that time, law enforcement agencies increased patrols and traffic safety efforts while practicing a zero tolerance policy for people not wearing their safety belts. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and local law enforcement agencies are once again commended for their dedication to saving lives and promoting safety belt use. Also instrumental in this successful campaign to save lives were the numerous grass roots efforts that took place across the state to educate Florida’s residents and its visitors on the benefits of always buckling up.
Ulmerton Road EB blocked due to a crash at Feather Sound Drive in Pinellas County. Officials remain on-scene and are reporting delays in the area. Traffic urged to plan for alternate routes including Roosevelt Blvd.
Hillsborough Avenue WB shut down at Countryway Blvd due to a serious crash. WB Hillsborough Avenue drivers can turn right on Montague, left on Memorial Hwy, left on Double Tree Rd, right on Hillsborough Avenue to reconnect with WB traffic flow.
Making Strides for Breast Cancer
Blood transfusions play a critical role in chemotherapy… keeping patients on schedule to receive life saving treatments. October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is the perfect time to donate… head out to St. Pete this weekend to help save a life
Expect lots of congestion as the U2 concert goers mesh with the Friday night rush hour traffic… avoid the Ray Jay area if possible tonight including Dale Mabry Hwy, Spruce Street, Waters Avenue, and Columbus while anticipating extra volume on I-275… and I-4. But if you can’t live with or without Bono, who cares if the clutter causes the streets to have no names right??? LOL!
For more information on the U2 Concert including parking, shuttles, and gate times… click here: http://media.tbo.com/tbo/pdfs/u2parking.pdf
Happy U2’ing Tampa Bay! Alicia
Good luck to the Lightning… who play their first home game of the season tonight… and watch out for all the extra Forum traffic during your drive home… game time 7:30 p.m.!
All lanes of SR-50 are currently shut down in both directions between Ridge Manor Blvd and US-301 in Hernando County following an accident. Officials remain on-scene. Traffic should use Ridge Manor Blvd which parallels SR-50 to the north as an alternate.
*** UPDATE: Officials are now indicating the accident involves an overturned tanker truck carrying some portion of nitrogen and are currently clearing the area as a safety precaution.
*** UPDATE: All lanes of SR-50 have been reopened as of 8:00 a.m.
Closures continue in Tampa this morning following an overnight accident which took down TECO power lines. Armenia Avenue remains closed between Grace and Cypress Streets while Cypress Street is shut down between Peter and Howard Avenues. Local deto…urs remain in effect and are expected to linger throughout the morning rush and afternoon hours.
Memorial Highway remains shut down between George Road and Independence Parkway in Hillsborough County following an overnight fatal crash and ongoing investigation. EB Traffic should follow Independence Parkway to access SR-60.
At least 125 Florida schools will be joining schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on October 7, 2009. Here in the U.S., up thousands of students from all 50 states will be walking or bicycling to school along with parents, teachers and community leaders.
Why? Walk to School events create awareness for establishing safer safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment while building connections between families, schools and the broader community.
Happy walking to all!
NB I-275 CLOSED between Bearss Avenue and I-75 for an accident. Florida Highway Patrol. Drivers should use alternates including Bearss Avenue/Bruce B. Downs and US-41 NB.
I-75 SB crash at Fowler Avenue… traffic is bumper-to-bumper in through the scene. Delays push back past SR-56 in Pasco. Avoid the interstate if possible this morning and plan for alternates and extra time for your commute.
MAJOR ACCIDENT… I-275SB between I-75 and Bearss Avenue ... initial reports indicating at least one tractor trailer has overturned… traffic is jammed through SR-54… I will post updates throughout the morning… for now plan for alternates.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month… and at-home self breast exams can save lives. There are lots of great resources online to answer all of your questions and provide resources for men and women… I’ve attached a link below.
Sheriff on scene of an accident involving a school bus and a vehicle - College Ave E & 30th St SE in Ruskin. No word of any injuries in initial reports.
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