This alarming statistic led to a detailed crash data analysis, interviews with traffic enforcement personnel, a focus group of people who had accidents in the area and a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the findings. All agreed that public awareness of this problem is needed to address the causes – careless and aggressive driving.
The Argyle area around Blanding Boulevard and I-295 is a hotspot for traffic accidents.
In addition to the personal trauma and family tragedies, the economic cost of crashes in this small area is staggering at over $91 million per year.
Most of these crashes are caused by careless and aggressive driving, so the Argyle area encompassing Blanding Boulevard from Collins Road to Wells Road west to Argyle Forest Boulevard and Branan Field Chaffee Road has been designated a “CareMore Driving Zone.” It’s a place where you have to be extra careful. So let people in, instead of cutting them off, don’t tailgate and put the phone down. It’s time to care more, not less, about yourself and others while driving in Argyle.
Our goal is to reduce the number of crashes to less than 40 per month. Let’s work together to make Argyle a safe place to drive for residents, commuters and shoppers!
Concerned about traffic congestion in the Argyle area? Get current traffic information and updates on projects:
Speeding and running red lights cause major accidents that can often result in fatalities, serious injuries and thousands of dollars in damages. Most of us know these are things we should never do. Yet even when we think of ourselves as “good drivers,” we can have lapses due to frustration and fatigue, especially when dealing with Argyle traffic. Here are the key driving challenges to keep in mind:
Distracted driving can involve a number of activities including changing the radio station, talking to passengers in the back seat or reaching down to pick up your coffee. You are distracted any time you don’t have your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheels and your brain engaged in driving. These activities tend to happen momentarily. However, cell phone use, whether talking or texting, tends to last for longer periods of time.
Did You Know That:
Over 50 countries have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. In the U.S., 37 states have some type of ban on texting or cell phone use while driving. The state of Florida does not and specifically prohibits local jurisdictions from regulating cell phone use in motor vehicles. The Florida Careless Driving Statute (316.1925) says that, “Any person operating a vehicle upon the streets or highways within the state shall drive the same in a careful and prudent manner, having regard for the width, grade, curves, corners, traffic, and all other attendant circumstances, so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.”
Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean texting or talking on the phone is a smart thing to do while driving, especially in the Argyle area where traffic can be unpredictable. Care more about yourself, your family and others on the road. Stay off the phone until you reach your destination.
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Tailgating, or following too closely, is a huge cause of rear-end collisions. Due to the stop and go traffic along Blanding Boulevard, rear-end collisions are a common occurrence, especially chain reaction crashes.
STOPPING DISTANCE NEEDED TO AVOID CRASHING...
How do you avoid them? Make sure you allow a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Don’t be surprised at how much room you need to stop safely!
A good rule of thumb is to allow at least one car length for every five mile per hour of speed. If the pavement is wet or conditions are bad due to rain, fog or smoke, you need to allow more space. It’s also important to be more alert and leave space in front of you when approaching an intersection so you won’t be caught short when the car in front of you stops for the light.
You may find that when you leave a safe distance in front of your car, someone pulls into the lane ahead of you. Just back off and maintain your safe distance. It also may be annoying if someone in front of you is driving too slowly. Don’t tailgate in an attempt to intimidate the driver. If they stop short and cause a collision, you will be responsible for following too closely! You have two choices – either back off and be patient or safely pass them on the left.
You can reduce the chances of being “tailgated” by driving with the flow of traffic and staying in the center or right lanes unless you need to pass someone or make a left turn. Finally, make sure your brake lights are working properly.
An aggressive or unsafe lane change can be as simple as not checking to see if a car is in the next lane or failing to signal as you change lanes.
With all the new technology on vehicles these days, people seem to have forgotten one of the basics – turn signals. It’s critical to use them when you turn to avoid accidents and by law (Florida Statute 316.083) you must also signal when changing lanes.
Besides not signaling, what makes the way a person changes lanes “aggressive?” Basically, it’s cutting people off by not leaving enough room between your vehicle and the one behind you in the lane you’re entering. You have to change lanes in a manner that will not interfere with the safe operation of other vehicles (Florida Statute 316.085). So if there’s not enough room to change lanes without causing someone to brake, don’t do it. Be especially careful changing lanes when approaching an intersection.
You can avoid crashes with aggressive lane changers by slowing down if you see someone trying to pull in front of you. Speeding up to block them and “show them a lesson” will only serve to inflame the situation and put you at risk.
You’ve been inching along in the right lane on Blanding Boulevard, waiting to get to the exit. Traffic is moving faster in the other lanes and it’s frustrating to see people fly by while you wait. Then along comes a “creeper,” hanging out in the center lane awaiting the slightest space to jump ahead into the line.
A gap finally opens in front of you and as you begin to move forward, the creeper edges toward your lane in front of you. What do you do? Speed up to cut the creeper off and start a game of chicken? After all, you feel the creeper is a cheat who’s trying to butt in line. Or you could just be the better person and let the creeper in. It really won’t cost you any more time and you’ll avoid escalating the situation into something more dangerous.
There is no law requiring courtesy, but it is safer to be courteous. By letting someone in ahead of you, you are also preventing a back-up in the adjacent lane caused by someone waiting to get in. That sudden back-up in the adjacent lane could cause a rear-end collision that may hurt you in the end (or the side!).
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316.074 Obedience to and required traffic control devices |
316.083 Overtaking and passing a vehicle |
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316.085 Limitations on overtaking, passing, changing lanes and changing course |
316.0895 Following too closely |
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316.121 Vehicles approaching or entering intersections |
316.122 Vehicle turning left |
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316.123 Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection |
316.1235 Vehicle approaching intersection in which traffic lights are inoperative |
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316.125 Vehicle entering highway from private road or driveway or emerging from alley, driveway or building |
316.130 Pedestrians; traffic regulations |
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316.1923 Aggressive careless driving |
316.1925 Careless driving |
Share your tips about how to safely navigate traffic in the Argyle area