Trying To Get A Handle On Distracted Drivers, Speeding, Heavy Traffic, Motorcycles, E-Bikes & More
There’s no doubt that, in addition to car washes, storage facilities, chain (and especially, chicken) restaurants, one of the things Wesley Chapel residents complain about the most is traffic. In an area that is growing as quickly as Wesley Chapel, increased traffic, unfortunately, also means a significant increase in traffic accidents and, by extension, traffic fatalities, especially on highways.
I personally still don’t think there’s as much traffic here as there was when I lived in (and near) New York City but that was, admittedly, nearly 40 years ago when the only “mobile” phones were those attached by a phone cord to your car — and not everybody actually had one of them.
The Wesley Chapel area today seems to possess the “perfect storm” combination of everyone having mobile phones and lots of traffic that includes many new people who only recently moved into the area. These newcomers, usually from out of state, don’t yet know our roads and have limited experience with the exits off our interstate highways that get backed up, sometimes for miles, even when no accident has taken place in the area.
People in the online community groups in our area often express their frustration and aggravation with the traffic, especially every time there is an accident with serious injuries and/or fatalities.
And, it is because of that ever-increasing number of those serious accidents — especially on I-75 between the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Exit #270 (New Tampa) and Overpass Rd. in Wesley Chapel — that I decided to look into the number of serious accidents in our area recently and what, if anything, can be done, to improve the situation.
The other impetus for this story was that our writer Joel Provenzano is a member of the Florida Motorcycle Safety Coalition (FMSC), which just happened to be having its quarterly meeting at the Hyatt Place hotel at I-75 and S.R. 56 almost exactly two weeks after a 17-year-old motorcyclist from Land O’Lakes was killed in a crash on I-75.
On pages 4-11 of this issue, we look at the serious crashes that have taken place since Mar. 29 of this year, as well as the data the FMSC received specifically about motorcycle crashes, plus the newest safety hazard on our local roads — e-bikes.
I have never met Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Sgt. and public affairs officer for FHP Troop C Steve Gaskins (photo), but I kind of feel like I know him. Sgt. Gaskins is the guy who sends us the press releases regarding major traffic accidents that have happened not only in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, but all around Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Citrus counties.
I don’t envy Sgt. Gaskins. His job is to report some of the most heinous occurrences in our distribution areas and he is very good at it. But, it has to be hard for him to see the carnage that he reports to the media every day and not be somewhat affected by it.
I also have never spoken with Sgt. Gaskins, but I did exchange emails with him recently regarding the accidents that have taken place on our major roadways — I-75 between Overpass Rd. & Bruce B. Downs Blvd., I-275 between Bearss Ave. & S.R. 56, plus S.R.s 54 & 56 themselves.
Here are some of my questions and the answers I received from him:
1) Why are there no lights on I-275 between Bearss Ave. and S.R. 56? Lights on the interstate are typically installed near exit/ entrance ramps.
2) How many accidents on these stretches of our two main interstate highways have taken place because of people trying to bypass traffic on the highway shoulders and/ or weaving in & out of traffic? Reckless drivers cause crashes; the specific number would be hard to establish as crash reports would indicate improper lane changes or passing only.
3) How many local accidents involve motorcycles/electric bicycles (I know that the latter aren’t on interstates, but do ride on S.R.s 56, 54, Overpass Rd., Bruce B. Downs Blvd., etc.)? For these records, please email FHPRecords@flhsmv.gov. (Also, see our stories about motorcycles and e-bikes on pgs. 8-11.)
4) What are the actual rules about e-bikes and golf carts on roadways? When do e-bikes become motorcycles and who is really allowed to drive them on roadways? These rules and regulations vary by jurisdiction.
5) What can be done to help alleviate at least some of this issue? I would gladly have the Neighborhood News sponsor a public meeting to discuss traffic and highway safety & I would love it if FHP could have someone attend that meeting. The FHP routinely issues safe travel posts and the FDOT (Florida Dept. of Transportation) posts safe travel messages on their highway message boards.
6) What can be done to increase funding in order to increase FHP and Pasco/Hillsborough County law enforcement presence in our communities? These are legislative and county funding concerns.
I have no doubts that speeding, driving under the influence and reckless driving are all major contributing factors to crashes not only in our area, but across the country. I also am confident that the ever-rising trend of distracted driving — especially texting and looking at your mobile phone while driving — is on the rise as a cause of many major accidents.
In fact, even though Sgt. Gaskins didn’t have specific stats for the areas he covers, or more specifically for New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles’ “Florida Crash Dashboard” shows that between Jan. 1 & Nov. 14 of this year, there have been 311,864 total crashes on all of Florida’s roadways, including 2,231 fatal crashes and 134,245 injury crashes. Of those were 78,418 hit & run crashes (with 16,610 hit & run injuries) and 7,557 crashes involving motorcycles, resulting in 469 motorcycle fatalities.
For all of Pasco County over that same time period, there have been 5,866 crashes, including 68 with fatalities and 3,173 with injuries, as well as 1,107 hit & run crashes with one fatality and 385 injuries, plus 200 crashes involving motorcycles with 19 fatalities.
But, here in our area, another factor clearly seems to be the traffic itself. When it’s at a standstill, whether because of rubbernecking an accident or just high volume during rush hours, people seem to be taking more risks. I can’t tell you how many times Jannah and I have seen people moving at high speed — 50-60 mph or more — on the shoulder of I-75 leading up to the S.R. 54 exit — when the two lanes of traffic heading to that exit aren’t moving at all.
Since we all also have GPS on our phones and/or in our cars, I’m guessing that people who see stopped traffic a few miles ahead of them on GPS will speed up and take more risks to get off an exit early or bypass right-exiting traffic at one interstate exit to try to make up time by getting off at the next exit instead.
If you look at the 19 major accidents Sgt. Gaskins reported to us on page 6 (just since Mar. 29 of this year, or in less than eight months), you’ll see that many of them include language like “darted out,” “was operating in a reckless manner” and “lost control.”
I know we all are busy and have families or loved ones we need to get home to, but there have just been too many times that these accidents have been caused by reckless and/or distracted drivers. It also would be nice if more people would use their turn signals — especially when changing lanes — and would look to see if it’s actually clear before doing so.
If we don’t all slow down and keep our eyes on the road, it’s clear that more of us will be listed in Sgt. Gaskins’ incident reports.
Have a safe, healthy and joyous holiday season, Wesley Chapel.
Recent Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Vehicle Crash Reports From Florida Highway Patrol
Editor’s note – Not all of these crashes took place in Wesley Chapel or New Tampa. Some just involve people who live in our distribution areas. Please note that we’re not showing these reports to be insensitive, as we know that many of them involve the loved ones of people who read this publication. This listing is included to show just how many of these major accidents there have been in our area, just since March 29 of this year. Please also note that the photos on this page were provided to us by Florida Highway Patrol. — GN
Nov. 7 — A two-year-old male child from Dade City, reportedly walking northbound along the outside shoulder with his father, darted out into the path of and was struck by a Dodge Ram pickup, driven by a 20-year-old Dade City man. Airlifted to an area hospital, the child later expired from injuries suffered during the crash. The driver and an 18-year-old Wesley Chapel woman traveling as a passenger in the truck were not injured.
Oct. 30 — A Kawasaki motorcycle, operated by a 17-year-old male from Land O Lakes, was traveling southbound on I-75 in the outside lane. A tractor-trailer, driven by a 65-year-old Crystal River man, was traveling southbound on I-75 in the center lane. North of CR-54, the motorcyclist changed lanes and collided with the passenger side of the tractor-trailer. The motorcyclist overturned and was struck by the under-carriage of the tractor-trailer. The motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries at the scene.
Oct. 15 — Five vehicles were traveling southbound on I-75, south of SR-54. Vehicle 1 was slowing or stopped in the center lane without lights activated awaiting to change lanes. As Veh. 2 approached Veh. 1, the driver moved to the outside lane to avoid a crash, resulting in all five vehicles colliding (photo above), resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to all, with one being transported to an area hospital.
Oct. 7 — Veh. 1, a BMW sedan, driven by an 18-year-old Wesley Chapel man, was traveling southbound on I-75 near the 269 Milepost in the inside lane. The driver was operating in a reckless manner and lost control of the vehicle which traveled into the outside center lane. The sedan traveled under the trailer towed by Veh. 2, an Amazon tractor-trailer, operated by a 49-year-old St. Cloud man which was also traveling southbound in the outside center lane. The impact caused the tractor-trailer to jackknife and travel to final rest in the center median with the sedan pinned under the trailer (photo right). No injuries were reported during the incident to either driver, or to two 18-year-old Wesley Chapel men traveling as passengers in Veh. 1.
Sept. 30 —Veh. 1, a Nissan Rogue, driven by a 38-year-old Lakeland woman, was traveling at a very slow speed northbound on I-75 in the outside lane. Veh. 2, a Mitsubishi Mirage, driven by a 67-year-old St. Petersburg man, was traveling northbound on I-75 in the outside lane behind Veh. 1. Veh. 3, a tractor-trailer, driven by a 43-year-old Loganville, GA, man, was traveling northbound on I-75 in the inside center lane. Veh. 2 overtook and collided with Veh. 1 which traveled to the outside shoulder and collided with a barrier wall while Veh. 2 rotated & entered the path of Veh. 3. As a result, Veh. 3 collided with Veh. 2. Both Driver 1 & 2 suffered serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals where Driver 2 later expired from injuries suffered during the collisions. Driver 3 was not injured.
Sept. 29 —Veh. 1, a moped, operated by a 55-year-old Zephyrhills man, was traveling eastbound on SR 54. A pedestrian, a 55-year-old Zephyrhills man, was walking eastbound ahead of Vehicle 1. East of Lamar Rd., the moped overtook and struck the pedestrian. Upon impact, the pedestrian fell to the ground, as the rider was ejected from the moped. Veh. 2, a Chevy Silverado, driven by an unknown female, was traveling eastbound on SR 54 and collided with the moped operator, who suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash. Following the crash, the female driver fled the scene. Veh. 2 is described as an older model black Chevrolet pickup truck, 2000 model year, driven by a white female approximately 30–40 years of age. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call *FHP (*347) or Crime Stoppers at **TIPS.
Sept. 19 — Veh. 1, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by a 34-year-old Bushnell man, was traveling southbound on I-275, north of Bearss Ave., near the 56 Milepost. Veh. 2, a Nissan Rogue, driven by a 40-year-old Tampa woman, was traveling southbound on I-275 ahead of Veh. 1. Veh. 1 overtook and collided with Veh. 2 while changing lanes. Upon impact, the motorcyclist traveled to final rest along the inside shoulder while the motorcycle traveled into the path of and was struck by Veh. 3, a Toyota RAV4, driven by a 62-year-old New Port Richey man, which was also traveling southbound on I-275. Driver 1 suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash. Drivers 2 & 3 suffered no injuries during the collisions.
Sept. 6 — Veh. 1, a Dodge Charger, driven by a 25-year-old Tampa man, was traveling southbound on I-75 at approximately 100 MPH with bald tires. Near the 268 Milepost, the driver lost control on a wet roadway, rotated & departed the highway. The vehicle traveled to the outside shoulder, struck an embankment, became airborne, and struck several trees before coming to final rest. Also traveling in the vehicle was a 24-year-old Riverview man and 25-year-old Land O Lakes man. All three occupants suffered serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals for medical care.
Aug. 6 — Veh. 1, a Honda Civic, driven by a 40-year-old Sanford man, was traveling westbound on SR 56, east of Shops Lane, a 34-year-old Sanford man who had been involved in a minor crash just prior to this incident walked into the path of and was struck by Veh. 1. Transported to an area hospital, the pedestrian later expired from injuries suffered during the crash. Driver 1 suffered no injuries.
July 2 — Veh. 1, a Ford Explorer, driven by a 37-year-old Wesley Chapel woman, was traveling westbound on SR 52. Veh. 2, an International cargo truck, driven by a 51-year-old Orlando man, was traveling eastbound on SR 52. At the 28000 block of SR 52, Veh. 1 completed a U-Turn into the path of and was struck by Veh. 2. Post-impact, both vehicles traveled to final rest along the outside shoulder of the highway. Transported to an area hospital, Driver 1 later expired from injuries suffered during the crash. Driver 2 suffered minor injuries and was also transported to an area hospital.
July 1 —Veh. 1, a motorcycle operated by a 40-year-old Webster man, was traveling northbound on I-75 and collided with a tractor-trailer near the 281 Milepost. The motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash. All northbound lanes of I-75 were closed due to the accident.
May 20 —Veh. 1, an Isuzu truck, driven by a 19-year-old Parrish man, was traveling southbound on I-75. North of Bruce B. Downs Blvd., the driver swerved to avoid an unknown object in the roadway. The driver lost control, causing the vehicle to rotate, depart the roadway and collide with the outside barrier wall. The driver was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
May 18 — Veh. 1, a Kia Soul, driven by a 46-year-old New Port Richey man, was traveling northbound on I-75. South of Overpass Rd., the driver lost control while cutting in and out of traffic and traveled onto the outside shoulder of the highway. Once on the shoulder, the vehicle struck a light pole and caught fire. The driver suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.
May 16 — Veh. 1, a Tesla Model S, was traveling southbound on I-75 along with several other vehicles. Near the 277 Milepost, Veh. 1 departed its travel lane and collided with Veh. 2, a Ford F150. Veh. 1 redirected and collided with Veh. 3, a Toyota Corolla. Veh. 3 was then also redirected and collided with Veh. 4, a Peterbilt truck. Finally, Veh. 1, which had continued southbound following the first two collisions, struck Veh. 5, a Volvo tractor-trailer. Transported to an area hospital, Driver 1 later expired from injuries suffered during the collisions. All other drivers suffered no injuries. Driver 1: Male, 69, Longboat Key; Driver 2: Female, 43, Riverview; Passenger in Veh. 2: Male, 11, Riverview; Driver 3: Male, 70, Wesley Chapel; Passenger in Veh. 3: Female, 74, Wesley Chapel; Driver 4: Male, 59, St. Petersburg; Driver 5: Male, 31, Tampa
May 1 —Veh. 1, a Kawasaki motorcycle, operated by a 23-year-old Wesley Chapel man, was traveling northbound on Wesley Chapel Blvd. at a high rate of speed. Near Progress Pkwy., the rider lost control, departed the roadway, struck a street sign and finally, a light pole. The rider suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.
Apr. 13 — Veh. 1, a Toyota Camry, driven by a 30-year-old Tampa man, was traveling southbound on I-75. South of SR 52, the driver overtook another vehicle and took evasive action to avoid a collision. The driver lost control of the vehicle, which rotated to the highway shoulder and struck a tree. Upon impact, a 28-year-old Tampa woman traveling as a passenger in the vehicle suffered fatal injuries.
Apr. 8 — Veh. 2, a tractor-trailer, driven by a 25-year-old Gainesville man, was traveling northbound on I-75. North of Bruce B. Downs Blvd., the tractor-trailer became disabled and came to a stop along the outside shoulder of the highway. Veh. 3, a Hyundai Sonata, driven by a 27-year-old Ocala man and brother of the tractor-trailer driver, stopped just ahead of Veh. 2 to render assistance. Veh. 1, an F-350 towing a cattle trailer, driven by a 23-year-old Campbellsville, KY, man, was traveling northbound on I-75 and, as the vehicle overtook Vehs. 2 and 3, the driver drifted onto the highway shoulder. Veh. 1 collided first with the driver’s side of Veh. 2, continued forward and collided with Driver 3, who had exited his vehicle to render assistance. Veh. 1 continued still further before finally colliding with Veh. 3. Driver 3 suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash. Post-impact, Driver 1 fled the scene of the crash and traveled to the Gate gas station on SR 56 at Cypress Ridge Blvd. An FHP Trooper soon located the driver at the gas station, where he was changing a tire. The driver, Noah Alexander Riley, was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash involving a death and deliver ed to the Hillsborough County Jail.
Apr. 4 — Veh. 1, a Toyota Tacoma, driven by a 42-year-old Dade City man, was traveling northbound on the I-275 entrance ramp leading to I-75, when the driver lost control for unknown reason. The vehicle crossed the gore, overturned and came to rest in the northbound I-75 travel lanes. The unrestrained driver was ejected from the vehicle, suffered serious injury, & was transported to an area hospital and later expired as a result of his injuries.
Mar. 29 — Veh. 1, a dump truck loaded with rock, driven by a 51-year-old Riverview man, was traveling southbound on I-75. North of SR 56, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which overturned and spilled its load upon the highway. The crash closed the southbound lanes of I-75 with traffic diverted at SR 54. The driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
Note from FHP Sgt. & Public Affairs Officer Steven Gaskins re: Distracted Driving Month:
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and its public safety partners remind drivers to stay distraction-free while behind the wheel. [Although ]April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, both drivers and passengers alike have a duty to refrain from engaging in or fostering distraction [all year around].
The act of driving requires keen concentration, as drivers must constantly be in tune with factors such as their speed, surroundings, other drivers, roadway conditions and more. Throw distractions into the mix — such as texting or talking on the phone — and this act becomes harder to do safely.
Preliminary data for 2024 shows that in Florida, nearly 300 people died and more than 2,200 people suffered serious bodily injuries due to a distracted driver. A distraction is anything that takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, or your mind off the act of driving. While you may not think you are a distracted driver because you do not engage in more well-known distractions, such as texting, you may be engaging in other distractions that put you, your passengers and others on the roadway at risk. This might include, but is not limited to, listening to loud music, eating, engaging with passengers or adjusting your vehicle’s entertainment or navigation system.
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