Law enforcement to make sure pedestrians and bicyclists are protected

Law enforcement is trying to make sure that bicyclists and pedestrians are protected.

It’s not usually a “good morning” when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper greets you. But, on Friday morning, troopers weren’t there to write tickets.

They were out giving friendly reminders to look both ways before you cross the road and make eye contact with drivers.

“We’re out here with some troopers and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office just talking to pedestrians, talking to bicyclists.”

Drivers, make sure to look out for pedestrians and bicyclists. There are too many crashes and too many lives lost, Lieutenant Greg Bueno says.

“It weighs on you,” Bueno said. “We unfortunately in the business that we’re in we see a lot of tragedies occur and most often those tragedies are 100% preventable,” Bueno said.

Our most recent example is the death of Bicyclist Debrah Purcaro. A hit-and-run driver crashed into her bike along North River Road in Alva and left her for dead.

Last year, FHP says, eight bicyclists and 22 pedestrians died on Lee County’s roads.

“We have high crash corridor’s and this is one because we have a lot of pedestrian and bicycle traffic here,” said Bueno.

He says most of those crashes are avoidable, especially if drivers follow the rules.

“We want to make sure that everybody is on the same page, if everybody is doing what they’re supposed to be doing, following our pedestrian, or bicycle and our motor vehicle laws we can all coexist and enjoy the day,” Bueno said.

This can ensure a day of driving, walking and biking that everyone survives.

FHP and Lee County Sheriff’s deputies together talked with 260 people, handed out 69 backpack lights and 127 bicycle lights.