ALWAYS STOP ON RED -Click to download flier

Whether you are walking, biking or driving, everyone is required by law to STOP ON RED.

Running a red light will cost you: $261 TRAFFIC FINE, 4 POINTS ON YOUR LICENSE AND MANDATORY TRAFFIC SCHOOL.

 When turning right on red, ALWAYS LOOK to the left for oncoming vehicles, AND TO THE RIGHT for bicyclists in the bike lane and for pedestrians in the crosswalk to make sure the way is clear BEFORE TURNING.

STAY ALERT and WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS. Even in an area where you don’t expect them to be... ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.

When walking, PAY ATTENTION, CROSS IN THE CROSSWALK, and obey the pedestrian signal. When the HAND APPEARS, STOP. It is no longer safe to cross.In Florida, BICYCLES are legally vehicles and ARE REQUIRED TO OBEY ALLTRAFFIC LAWS. This includes stopping at stop signs and red lights. 

Traffic Law Synopsis:

F.S. 316.075(1)(c) Steady Red Signal - Vehicles shall stop before entering the crosswalk. After stopping on red, a driver making a permitted right turn must yield to pedestrians crossing as directed by the signal. Pedestrians shall not enter the roadway on red, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal.

F.S. 316.130(1) Pedestrians must obey any official traffic control device unless otherwise directed by apolice officer.

F.S. 316.2065(1) Bicycles - Human powered vehicles have all the same rights and responsibilitiesapplicable to other vehicles, unless otherwise noted in statue.

COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES - Click to download flier

CMV is any self-propelled or towed vehicle used on the public highways in commerce to transport passengers or cargo, if such vehicle:

- Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more

- Is designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver

- Is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSES & CDL ENDORSEMENTS

• Class A: Combination 26,001 pounds or more towing a trailer 10,001 pounds or more
• Class B: Power unit 26,001 pounds or more, trailer under 10,001 pounds
• Class C: Any vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 lbs which is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or to be used in the transportation of Haz-Mat, which would require the motor vehicle to be placarded

 9 WAYS YOU CAN LOSE YOUR CDL

Traffic violations that lead to a fatality

2. Using a vehicle to commit a felony

3. Excessive speeding, more than 15 miles per hour above the posted speed limit

4. Certain traffic violations such as, reckless driving, improper lane change, or following

too closely

5. Leaving the scene of an accident

6. Driving a commercial vehicle without having a CDL, the proper class of commercial

driver license or commercial learner’s permit or without the proper endorsement

7. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

8. Texting while driving / distracted driving / using a mobile phone

while driving

9. Refusing a test to detect drugs or alcohol use

TRUCK AND BUS DRIVER SAFETY - Click here to download the flier
These tips can help truck and bus drivers make a plan for road safety:

1. Check Your Blind Spots
   Check mirrors every 8-10 seconds to watch for vehicles entering blind spots. Scan ahead a
   quarter mile on interstates, or one to two blocks in cities for traffic issues, work zones, and
   other dangers.
   
   
2. Be Aware of Long Stopping Distances
   Large trucks and buses need the length of up to two football fields to stop. Driving too fast for weather or road conditions or failing to slow down for curves or ramps create risks for
   rollovers, as well as crashes.
   
   
3. Make Wide Turns Carefully
   Trucks and buses need extra space and time to make wide, careful turns. Make turns carefully and signal appropriately.
   
   
4. Always Buckle Up
   Wear your seat belt every time you drive or ride. Seat belts can save lives, reduce injuries, and allow drivers to stay inside and control their vehicles in the event of a crash.
   
   
5. Drive at a Safe Speed
   The size and weight of trucks and buses increase driving challenges, including acceleration, braking, and maneuverability. Drive at a safe speed and never drive above the speed limit.
   
   
6. Stay Focused and Avoid Distracted Driving
   Don’t drive when you’re fatigued, sick, or using medications that make you drowsy or dizzy.
    Do not text while driving. Use of mobile phones must be hands-free.
   Do not eat, drink, read maps, or any other activity that takes your focus off the road.
   If you must attend to an activity other than driving, exit the highway or pull over.
   
   
7. Always Use Your Signal
   Use your signals. If you must pull off the road, use flashers, reflective triangles, and/or road flares to alert approaching drivers.
   
   
8. Maintain Your Vehicle Make sure pre-trip safety inspections are complete before hitting the road, particularly for tires and brakes. Check that your load is well-balanced and secure, as a shifting load can cause a rollover or loss of control. Loose materials can create road hazards.
   
   
9. Practice Work Zone Safety Work zones present many hazards, like lane shifts, sudden stops, uneven road surfaces,moving workers and equipment, and more. Unfortunately, fatal work zone crashes continue to rise – so it’s vital to take work zone safety seriously:
   Slow down, maintain extra following space, and be prepared to stop.
   Obey all work zone signs and signals.
   Scan ahead for changing traffic patterns, and be alert to vehicles entering your blind spots.
   Keep a sharp eye out for road workers and flag crews.

Aggressive driving causes crashes and deaths on our roadways.

Florida law defines “aggressive careless driving” as 2 or more of the following, at the same time, or one right after each other:

    - speeding 
    - changing lanes unsafely or without signaling 
    - tailgating 
    - failing to yield the right of way 
    - illegal passing 
    - running red lights, stop signs, or yield signs 

If you find yourself driving carelessly, there are some things you can do to keep yourself and other drivers safe. 

    - Plan ahead and allow for plenty of time to get to your destination. 
    - Listen to soothing music when you drive. 
    - Obey the speed limit and limit your distractions, like eating, drinking, or talking on your phone. 

How should you handle an aggressive driver?

    - Try to get out of their way safely. 
    - Do not attempt to catch up to them. 
    - Avoid eye contact. Ignore any gestures. 

To report aggressive driving call 239-252-9300 or the ZOOM traffic hotline at 239-530-ZOOM. 

Call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency.

In Florida bicycles are defined by law as vehicles. As such, bicyclists have the same roadway rights and responsibilities as the operators of any other vehicle. The basic concept to remember when cycling or as a motorist is that we must share the road. If bicyclists and motorists treat each other with respect then all road users will benefit.

Almost 75% of all cycling deaths are caused by head injuries. Each year thousands of serious head injuries could be prevented if all cyclists wore bike helmets. Although not required by law (unless you are under the age of 16) the Sheriff’s Office strongly recommends you wear an approved bicycle helmet.

Riding while intoxicated is extremely dangerous. Intoxication causes delayed reaction time and blurred vision. Additionally, you can be arrested for operating a bicycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The sections below summarize important rules of the road. For more information, please see the complete Florida Statute Section cited.

General Bicycle Regulations – Section 316.2065
• A bicyclist must obey all traffic controls and signals including stop signs and stop lights.
• No bicycle may be used to carry more people at one time than the number for which it is made.
• At least one hand must be kept on the handlebars while riding.

Lighting – Section 316.2065
• A bicycle operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a light on the front that is visible from 500 feet and both a rear reflector and a red light on the rear visible from 600 feet.
• Additional lighting is permitted and recommended.

Roadway Position – Section 316.2065
• A bicyclist must ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the road. A bicyclist may leave the right-most portion of the road in the following situations: when passing, making a left turn, to avoid hazards, or when a lane is too narrow for bicycle and car to share it safely.
• Riding in single file is required except on sidewalks or when two people riding side-by-side within one lane will not impede traffic.

    - FDOT has determined that 14ft is the minimum width which allows most motor vehicles to pass cyclists within the travel lane. 
    - If the cyclist feels that the typical traffic on the roadway cannot pass within the lane while maintaining a three foot buffer, the bicyclist is permitted to use the entire lane. 
    - When using the entire lane the bicyclist should consider speed limits, traffic congestion and traffic flow so as not to create an unreasonable obstruction of traffic that could create a safety hazard for motorists or the bicyclist. 
    - Bicycle drivers are not required to keep right, and are encouraged, for their safety, to occupy enough lane that motorists recognize they must change lanes to pass. By riding this way, cyclists can avoid road hazards, operate more predictably, encourage overtaking motorists to pass safely and discourage common motorist mistakes that result in crashes.

Sidewalk Riding – Section 316.2065
• When riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, a bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
• A bicyclist riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, and must give an audible signal before passing.

Signaling Turns – Sub-Section 316.155(2) and 316.157(2)
• A bicyclist may signal intent or turn right either by extending the left hand and arm upward or by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.

Headsets – Sub-Section 316.304
• A bicyclist must not wear a headset, headphone, or other listening device other than a hearing aid when riding. Wearing a headset blocks out important audio cues needed to detect the presence of other traffic.

Click here to download a bicycle safety flier.

Collier SMART - Safe Motorcycle And Rider Techniques

TAKE THE CHALLENGE

CCSO and the Florida Sheriff's Association welcome Collier County kids to the Teen Driver Challenge.

This course provides you with the knowledge and hands-on experience to reduce your chances of being involved in a crash. The driving skills you will learn are the same techniques used by driving professionals, including NASCAR.

• The class consists of two training days. The first day is a four-hour block of instruction and the second day is an eight-hour block of vehicle operations.
  
  
• You will be operating your own vehicle and you must be licensed teen driver or have a driving permit with 21 year old licensed driver with you.
  
  
• Permitted Drivers must have at least 25 hours of driving time and had their permit for at least 6 months to be accepted into the program.

Your instructor will be a certified law enforcement trainer.

Upon the successful completion of this course, you will graduate with a certificate of completion. You can give the certificate to your auto insurance company for a possible premium reduction.

These classes fill up fast. Sign up for classes now. Contact Youth Relations at 239-252-0144.

 Click here to learn more about dates and times and to sign up for the Teen Driver Challenge