TAMPA, Fla. — It was a lethal day on the highway in Tampa Bay.
There have been not less than 5 accidents involving walkers and a biker. Three of these accidents ended in loss of life.
It’s a well-known story for Yaica Irizarry who misplaced her son in a crash in October.
“You think to yourself what a sad thing. But until it hits home, you don’t think about how actually unsafe these roads are,” she stated.
According to Signal Four Analytics, a crash statistics database, Florida has seen greater than 432,000 crashes this 12 months.
Eight of the states 10 deadliest road stretches are in Tampa Bay, based on Moneygeek.com.
“When I heard of the incident that happened two months right after my son, it just kind of lit a fire under me and I said we have to do something because this is not fair,” stated Irizarry.
Irizarry lobbied for sidewalks alongside the highway her son was killed on and others all through the remainder of Lakeland. She finally noticed outcomes.
“I am pleased with the fact that they heard us and that they’re pushing forward with a sidewalk. It was a fight to say the least. But I believe that if you keep on pushing for something, at the very least, you’re going to get heard,” she added.
Irizarry stated there’s nonetheless work to be executed.
Signal Four reveals 42 walkers and bikers have died in traffic crashes in Hillsborough County this year; one other 111 have been significantly injured.
In Polk County, 16 deaths and 36 critical accidents in Polk.
In Pinellas County, 26 deaths and 89 critical accidents.
“I think right now there’s a tendency to look at the street as something only drivers are allowed to use,” stated Emily Hinsdale.
Emily Hinsdale is hoping to interrupt that mindset via her work with Walk Bike Tampa.
The group works intently with native authorities and neighborhood members to assist walkers and bikers really feel extra secure on Tampa’s streets.
“We have been working very hard with the Tampa City Council to change the sidewalk code so that we can get more sidewalks installed around the city of Tampa. That’s a work in progress,” she stated. “We’ve also been working with the board of County Commissioners urging them to commit to spending more on some of our high injury. Roadways through the city of Tampa, that are owned by the county, put some more money towards specifically safety improvements.”
One group Hinsdale feels is especially susceptible is Tampa’s children.
“Children are required by law to go to school, but we don’t provide a way for them to get there. We don’t, even provide a safe way for them to get there,” stated Hinsdale.
In Florida, kids who reside two miles or nearer to high school aren’t allowed to journey the bus.
Hinsdale stated many Florida colleges on are on most important roads, but lack correct sidewalks and lighting.
Hearing of Ethan Weiser’s loss of life Friday morning on his method to faculty additional fuels what Hinsdale is pushing for.
“It’s of course always painful to hear about somebody’s loss of life or serious injury on our area roads. I think we see it as a push to do more, to keep working, to keep trying to make the improvements that we can to always ask for and never settle, never stop until we do reach zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roads,” she stated.