Dangerous Intersections – TAMPA BAY AREA

According to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) some of the most dangerous intersections in Pinellas County are in Largo, Florida. Driving in Largo, Florida could mean that you are more vulnerable to car crash than elsewhere in Pinellas County according to this data.

The MPO recently released its annual traffic crash statistics for Pinellas County. Fifty (50)intersections were identified along with the number of crashes there. "We've got a number of intersections where people are trying to go east-west and north-south on major road crossings, plus you have very wide roads where you may have six lanes crossing six lanes," said Pinellas County planning director Brian Smith. "These are usually things that are just hard to deal with."

Of the 50 hardest to deal with intersections, nine can be found in the Largo. The Belcher-Ulmerton intersection is one that is on this list. It has been a difficult intersection for many years. The intersection ranks 35 among the top 50 most dangerous intersections in Pinellas County. It's just one of the many that have ranked high year after year. Others include:

• 66th Street and Ulmerton Road in Pinellas County near Largo
• East Bay Drive and Keene Road in Pinellas County near Largo
• 66th Street and 142nd Avenue in Pinellas County near Largo
• Belcher Road and East Bay Drive in Pinellas County near Largo
• Ulmerton Road and Seminole Boulevard in Pinellas County near Largo
• Ulmerton Road and Starkey Road in Pinellas County near Largo
• Missouri Avenue and West Bay Drive in Pinellas County near Largo
• U.S. Highway 19 and East Bay Drive in Pinellas County near Largo
  

Currently the Metropolitan Planning Organization is looking closer at the locations and plan for engineering improvements to ease traffic and possibly save lives.

A couple of factors that contribute to this danger are red light running, driving inappropriately, making wrong turns or exceeding the speed limit.

Many to the most dangerous intersections have been and continue to be under aggressive traffic enforcement. Some of the dangerous intersections simply cannot handle the volume of traffic during certain times of the day. Other Tampa Bay Area dangerous intersections include:

• Park Blvd. and Seminole Blvd. in Pinellas County near Seminole
• Seminole Blvd. and 102nd Avenue in Pinellas County near Seminole
• U. S. Highway 19 and Tampa Road in Pinellas County near Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs
• U.S. 19 and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard in Pinellas County near Clearwater
• U.S. 19 and Drew Street in Pinellas County near Clearwater
• U.S. 19 and Sunset Point Road in Pinellas County near Clearwater
• Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and Belcher Road in Pinellas County near Clearwater
• Hanley Road and Waters Ave in Hillsborough County near Tampa and Town and Country
• Brandon Blvd. and Brandon Town Center Drive in Hillsborough County near Brandon
• Bell Shoals Road and Bloomington Ave. in Hillsborough County near Bloomingdale and Brandon
• Anderson Road and Waters Ave. in Hillsborough County near Citrus Park and Tampa
• Bearss Ave. and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Hillsborough County near North Tampa and New Tampa
• Bruce B. Downs Blvd and Interstate 75 in Hillsborough County near New Tampa and Lutz
• Columbus Drive and Dale Mabry Hwy in Hillsborough County near Tampa
• Hillsborough Ave. and Lois Ave. in Hillsborough County near Tampa and Drew Park
• Memorial Hwy and Courtney Campbell Causeway in Hillsborough County near Tampa
• Bruce B. Downs Blvd and Fowler Ave. in Hillsborough County near New Tampa and USF
• SR 52 and US Hwy 19 in Pasco County near Port Richey and Bayonet Point
• SR 54 and US Hwy 41 in Pasco County near New Port Richey
• Moog Road and US Hwy 19 in Pasco County near Holiday and New Port Richey
• Ridge Road and US Hwy 19 in Pasco County near Port Richey
• CR 1 and SR 52 Pasco County Hudson and Land O' Lakes

DRIVE DEFENSIVEY and OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS.

GOLF CARTS & LOW SPEED VEHICLES (LSV)

GENERAL INFORMATION

If the operator of a golf cart of LSV were to commit a traffic infraction like running a stop sign, crossing over two lanes of traffic to make a left turn, speed greater than 20 mph (golf cart) 25 mph (LSV), the operator could be issued a traffic citation. Remember, golf carts and LSV’s are much smaller than regular motor vehicles and will lose the battle every time. There are no air bags or a chassis to absorb impacts.

Always use your turn signals, and check your blind spots. When turning left, always move into the motor vehicle traffic lane and turn from that position. NEVER make a left hand turn from the golf cart lane. Due to the small size and limited visibility of the directional lights on a golf cart, use hand signals to indicate your intentions.

LOW SPEED VEHICLES

Florida Statute 320.01(42) defines a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) as a four wheel vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 mph but does not exceed 25 mph.

Florida statute 316.2122 states that a low speed vehicle may operate on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less. The vehicle can also cross intersecting roadways where the speed is greater than 35 mph. It also requires that the operator of a low speed vehicle must be a licensed driver. The vehicle must have a registered license plate and be insured. The vehicle must be equipped with standard safety equipment. A simple rule of thumb: An LSV can be operated like an automobile on a road whose speed limit is 35 mph or less. There are numerous makes of low speed vehicles, some look like golf carts while others are readily identifiable.

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Florida Statute 320.01(22) specifies that a golf cart is a vehicle that is NOT capable of exceeding 20 mph. It should be noted that it is illegal for a manufacturer or a dealer to make, modify or sell any golf cart that is capable of speeds greater than 20 MPH. Violations of this restriction could result in charges being brought against the person or company producing or modifying said vehicle.

If you have been injured in a golf cart or low speed vehicle accident - CALL THE TRIPP LAW FIRM FOR A FREE CONSULTATION TO DISCUSS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS 1 (888) 392-LAWS (5297).

The IMPORTANCE of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

To protect yourself financially against damage or injury from an uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM), you must buy adequate amounts of UM/UIM coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

A new study by the Insurance Research Council indicates that there is a strong correlation between the percentage of uninsured motorists and the unemployment rate. Based on current unemployment rate projections, the Insurance Research Council forecasts that the percentage of uninsured motorists will likely rise from 13.8 percent in 2008 to 16.1 percent in 2010.

“Most people don’t think about the uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage portion of their auto insurance policy until they are the victim of a hit and run accident, or are involved in a crash with a driver who either does not have auto insurance or has very minimal insurance,” pointed out Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage provides a very important financial safety net for drivers and their passengers. It even provides protection if you are hit by a car as a pedestrian. UM/UIM coverage is an optional coverage but is one that should NEVER be rejected on your automobile policy.

“Consumers should consider purchasing the same amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that they purchase for their liability to others,” Salvatore stated. “This will help to make drivers financially whole in case they are unable to collect if they get into a crash with an at-fault driver who has little or no insurance.”

Drivers who properly protect themselves with UM/UIM motorist coverage can submit the loss directly to their insurance company. Some insurers may even offer an endorsement to a policyholder’s umbrella or excess liability policy that allows the higher limits to come into play, if necessary.

According to the most recent data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average uninsured motorist coverage claim was $19,650 for bodily injury.

If you have been injured due to the negligence of an uninsured or underinsured motorist: CALL THE TRIPP LAW FIRM FOR A FREE CONSULTATION TO DISCUSS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS 1 (888) 392-LAWS (5297).