County's Traffic Fatalities In 2008 Drop

Traffic fatalities in Highlands County dropped slightly from 17 in 2007 to 16 last year, but about a third of the fatalities last year involved motorcycles, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Of the 16 deaths on Highlands County roadways last year, at least five of the victims were on motorcycles, according to Lt. Chris Miller with FHP's Troop F.

The total number of fatalities in Florida roads in 2008 was 2,986, the lowest total since 2000, according to preliminary data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

Highlands County Sheriff's Lt. Keith Starling said, especially when getting out onto U.S. 27, motorcyclists have to drive defensively and prepare for the actions of other drivers.

"I don't know, out of (the five motorcyclists who died), how many were wearing their helmets," Starling said. "And to be honest with you, in some of these crashes it wouldn't have mattered what they had on. It's definitely advisable to wear (helmets)."

When the sheriff's office had its motorcycle patrol, it was a departmental policy to wear a helmet, said sheriff's deputy J.P. Fane.

"Even with my own personal bike I don't go out without a helmet, ever," said Fane. "Motorcycle fatalities went up 158 percent when the helmet law was repealed; I think it was in 2000."

Fane said he thought some crashes were the result of more motorcycles being on the roads due to the gas prices, with less experienced drivers.

Stricter standards for obtaining a motorcycle license went into effect in 2008.

"I would hope in the upcoming years that will help," he said.

In 2000, total traffic deaths in the state were 2,999. In 2007, they were 3,221 fatalities.

"While the number of fatalities has decreased, which is good news, even one death on our highways is still too many," said DHSMV executive director Electra Theodorides-Bustle in a written statement. "We need to be vigilant about education and enforcement activities that help keep our highways safe."

YOU CAN HELP

The FHP is asking residents to help keep Florida's roads safe by dialing *FHP (*347) to report drunk drivers, traffic crashes, stranded or disabled motorists or any other suspicious incidents.