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 Tuesday, June 22, 2010, the Traffic Unit will target at least one of the following three locations for enforcement:

1. Treeline Avenue, Fort Myers

2. Hickory Boulevard, Bonita Springs

3. North Tamiami Trail (Business U.S. 41), North Fort Myers

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: 56

Written Warnings Issued: 107

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: Summer is officially here, but we’ve already been enduring hot temperatures and heat index ratings over 100 degrees. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports hyperthermia (heat stroke) is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle deaths for children under the age of fourteen (14). Experts recommend two ways to prevent these tragedies:

1. NEVER leave a child unattended in a vehicle–whether the windows are open or closed, whether the air conditioner is running or not.

2. Teach your children that a car is not a place to play.

Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Department