The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is providing the information listed below in continuing efforts to increase traffic safety awareness and education, plus to emphasize the importance of obeying traffic laws to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and death on Lee County roads.

On Monday, Oct. 12, 2009, the Traffic Unit will target at least one of the following three locations for enforcement:

1. Bonita Grande Drive, Bonita Springs

2. Cypress Lake Drive & U.S. 41, Fort Myers

3. Pine Island Road (State Road 78), Cape Coral

Locations are selected based upon high incidents of crashes, traffic surveys and citizen complaints. The Sheriff’s Office is committed to promoting traffic safety and enforcing the law. By focusing on violations such as red light running, speeding, DUI and others, motorists become more alert and are encouraged to obey traffic laws. The Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit and District Patrol Deputies enforce our traffic laws each day by issuing citations and warnings. Preliminary results from their cumulative activity yesterday are as follows:

Citations Issued: 127

Written Warnings Issued: 143

Citizens can help by letting us know if they observe problem areas, aggressive or impaired drivers and by their compliance with the rules of the road. To get in touch with one of our traffic deputies call (239) 477-1000. If you see a reckless or drunk driver while you are traveling in your motor vehicle in Lee County, dial 9-1-1.

This traffic enforcement advisory is available each day on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.sheriffleefl.org.

Everyone is reminded to “Fasten Your Seat Belts, be courteous to drivers and pedestrians and together we can reduce traffic related fatalities, injuries and property damage.”

Note: Traffic Safety Tip of the Week: A distracted driver is a dangerous driver. Texting, talking on a cell phone, looking for papers or items dropped while driving and many more are proven by researchers as taking your attention away from the road ahead and motorists around you. Become a “determined” driver instead by choosing to be in control of your attention and actions when you’re in the driver’s seat.