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    HELP SUPPORT
    THE MOVEMENT

    You have the power to make Blindspots visible.

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  • WHAT IS

    SEE THE BLINDSPOTS?

    BLIND SPOT:

    A SUBJECT SOMEONE IS UNEDUCATED ABOUT

    Florida leads the nation in pedestrian death rates. You didn't know this, did you? Even with a strong downward trend in fatal crashes over the past five years, Florida still has the highest pedestrian fatality rate per one hundred thousand people. And much of this carnage occurs in Metro Orlando and Tampa-St. Pete, the two most dangerous U.S. metro cities for walking. According to statistics, roughly nine pedestrians are killed in Florida each week and twenty-one are severely injured each day.

    If getting hit by a car were a deadly disease, Florida would be in the middle of a full-blown epidemic with no cure in sight. And bicyclists aren't immune either. The Sunshine State's bicyclist fatality rate is more than twice the national average. In Hillsborough County, it's nearly triple.

    The root cause of this outbreak isn't the cars or the roads or even the drivers who, unjustly or not, shoulder much of the blame. No, what's causing this grisly pandemic is a dangerous mix of ignorance and indifference.
    All of us - motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists - have been infected by a false sense of security that stems from traveling thousands of miles each year without consequence. This collective disregard leaves us blind to the rules, the facts, and each other. The majority of Floridians don't know the basic laws of pedestrian safety and, judging by the rising number of dead, we don't seem to care.

    This is why we've created See The Blindspots.

    See The Blindspots is a movement. A change of direction. An oncoming cure. It's the intersection of awareness and humanity, and an opportunity for us to open our eyes to what we've been missing so we can begin looking out for each other.

    SeeTheBlindSpots.com is designed to be a reliable source of information and data so that every person in Florida knows the bone crushing truth. Knowledge is the antidote. It's up to all of us to share it before it's too late.


    Check our sources in the DATA CENTER
  • ABOUT SEE THE BLINDSPOTS
    See The Blindspots is a pedestrian and bicyclist safety campaign developed for Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7, which comprises the Tampa Bay area where a pedestrian is injured every seven hours. The goal is to reduce pedestrian fatalities in the Tampa Bay area by 20% before the year 2015. With your help, we can reach this goal and do even more to save lives not only in our district, but also throughout our great state of Florida.

    Many of us know people living outside our area. From Alachua to Zephyrhills, we all have friends and family walking, riding and driving our many highways and byways. They are in danger.

    YOU NEED TO WARN THEM.

    Florida's ongoing effort to improve engineering, education, enforcement and emergency services is a big part of the solution, but raised medians and enhanced lighting will only take us so far. Use the power of your voice and the connections at your fingertips to spread the word. It's time for all of us to open our eyes and See The Blindspots.


    Check our sources in the DATA CENTER
     
     
  • CLICK FOR
    MAN VS. MACHINE
    7 NEW DEATHS A MONTH. DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHAT WE'RE DRIVING?
    Maybe we would look at our roads differently if cars weren't cars. It's up to you, Florida.
  • COMMERCIAL
     
    $715
    million
    financial
    loss
     
    DATA FROM THE
    TAMPA BAY AREA
    one of the deadliest pedestrian zones in America
    1,100
    pedestrian crashes
     
    SEVEN
    fatalities every month
     
    82
    pedestrians killed
     
    3
    MON
     
    3
    TUE
     
    3
    WED
     
    3
    THU
     
    3
    FRI
     
    3
    SAT
     
    3
    SUN
    pedestrians injured every day
     
    ONE
    fatality every four days
     
    ONE
    injury every seven hours
     
       CAN YOU STOMACH MORE?
    Data Center
  • FLORIDA LEADS THE NATION IN PEDESTRIAN DEATHS
    PER ONE HUNDRED
    THOUSAND PEOPLE.
    Clearly, your fellow motorists are not looking out for you when you're not in your car, so it's up to you to look out for them. Yes, motorists must obey the laws of the road and be held accountable for their actions, but so must you. That's right, there are even laws for walking. While you're not likely to get a ticket for walking on the side of the road, you are likely to get yourself killed. So know the rules. It could save your life.
    A SAD STATE OF
    AFFAIRS
    Facts from Data Center
    NINE
    pedestrians killed each week
     
    21
    MON
     
    21
    TUE
     
    21
    WED
     
    21
    THU
     
    21
    FRI
     
    21
    SAT
     
    21
    SUN

    pedestrians injured in Florida every day
     
    11
    of the 25 most dangerous metro
    areas for pedestrians are in Florida
     
    2 most dangerous metro areas
    for walking
     
    YOU CAN'T WALK AWAY FROM THE TRUTH
    Data Center
    BLINDSPOTS
    EVERYWHERE.
    Wear the gear
    and help support
    the cause.
    ORDER
    NOT JUST FOOT TRAFFIC
    By law, you are considered a pedestrian when you:

    RUN

    WHEELCHAIR

    ROLLERBLADE

    SKATEBOARD

  • WALK THIS WAY
    Ten simple safety tips to follow daily? Or nine pedestrian deaths weekly? The choice is yours Florida.
    One
    Always be alert and attentive to traffic and don't cross the street until it's safe.
     
    Two
    Obey the pedestrian Walk/Don't Walk signals.
     
    Three
    Always look left-right-left, and then if it's clear, begin crossing.
     
    Four
    When crossing the street, continue to check for traffic in all directions, especially for vehicles turning "Right on Red."
     
    Five
    Do not assume approaching drivers have seen you. Make eye contact with the driver to verify that you have been seen, and your intention to cross is understood. Always stop first before crossing the street.
     
    Six
    Always use sidewalks when they are available. On roads without sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
     
    Seven
    Never attempt to walk along or cross expressways, interstate highways, or turnpikes.
     
    Eight
    When walking at night or during the low-light hours of dawn or dusk, wear something reflective on your clothes or shoes, and carry a flashlight.
     
    Nine
    Limit alcohol consumption if you plan on walking.
     
    Ten
    Supervise road crossings for children since they don't have the capacity to safely judge the situation.
     
    TBO.com Published
    March 28, 2011

    TAMPA - A 44-year-old man was hit by a car and killed while trying to cross West Hillsborough Avenue on Saturday night, police said

    The incident happened about 9:40 p.m., when the man was trying to cross Hillsborough at North MacDill Avenue, police said. He stepped into the path of a 1996 Honda heading west on Hillsborough.

    The Tampa Police Department has not identified the man.

    Take steps to learn more. -> FDOT

  • BIKE WITH BRAINS

    There are over 120 bicycle fatalities on Florida roadways each year, which is more than double the national average of bicycle fatalities per capita. Negligent motorists must be held accountable for their actions, but in many cases, carelessness is a two-way street.

    According to a published guide from the Florida Bicycle Association, bicyclists are at fault in seventy percent of all police-reported crashes because they violated traffic rules. And a recent report from Hillsborough County states that over 25% of crashes are primarily caused by bicyclists either darting out into traffic midblock or failing to yield the right-of-way at signalized intersections.

    We love that you bike. You're doing a healthy thing for yourself and our planet. But when you operate a vehicle - yes, a bicycle is a vehicle - you need to know the rules. It could save your life.

    NO MORE SUNSHINE
    Hard Data from Just One Florida County
     
     
    500
    crashes per year over a five-year period
     
     
     
    50%
    of all injurious crashes involve bicyclist error
     
     
     
    50%
    of reported crashes involved riders
    25 - 50 years of age
     
    Data Center
    Source: Hillsborough Countrywide Bicycle Safety Action Plan.
  • JUST LIKE
    RIDING A BIKE
    It just kills us - and far too many bicyclists each year - when simple safety rules are not followed.
    One
    A bicyclist must obey all traffic controls and signals.
     
    Two
    Riding against traffic is the most common cause of crashes.
     
    Three
    Wear a helmet. Head injuries account for over sixty percent of bicyclist fatalities.
     
    Four
    Help other drivers see you by riding in the expected direction of traffic - on the right - and by wearing light or brightly colored clothes.
     
    Five
    No bicycle may be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.
     
    Six
    Bicyclists should never ride straight in a lane marked exclusively for right turns, i.e., one marked or signed with the word "ONLY."
     
    Seven
    At least one hand must be kept on the handlebars while riding.
     
    Eight
    A bicyclist may not wear a headset, headphone or listening device other than a hearing aid.
     
     
     
    St. Petersburg Times.
    March 21, 2011

    TAMPA - A bicyclist last weekend improperly crossed a street into the path of a pickup truck that struck and killed him, police said.

    The man violated the right of way about 8 p.m. Saturday when he crossed W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and headed north in the eastbound lanes of Tampania Avenue. A 2003 Ford F250 hit his bicycle.

    No charges were filed against the truck's driver. This is at least the 15th bicyclist to be killed since July [2001] while riding in Tampa Bay.

    T-SHIRTS
    Get the gear.
    Help us spread the word.
    ORDER
    Take a short ride to learn more.
    ->FDOT
    In Florida the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle.
    Bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways, and must
    obey the same traffic laws as the operators of other vehicles.
  • WE'RE KILLING
    NINE PEDESTRIANS
    EACH WEEK.

    You can survive a car crash. But you'll never recover if you kill a pedestrian or bicyclist.

    Cars are safer than ever before. But there isn't an advanced safety feature in the world that can protect us from drivers who still don't get it. Speeding, texting, driving under the influence, failing to yield at an intersection, turning into the path of a pedestrian or bicyclist... cars may be getting smarter, but drivers are not.

    We're killing nine of our fellow pedestrians each week. With our cars. And our ignorance. Put down the phone. Call a cab. Keep it under the speed limit.

    Be alert. You're the one in the car, so you're the one with the greatest responsibility.

    PUT IT IN REVERSE
    Facts from the Data Center
     
    NINE
    pedestrians killed each week
     
     
     
     
     
     
    48%
    crashes per year over a five-year period
     
    Data Center
    T-SHIRTS
    Get the gear.
    Make the Blindspots visible.
    ORDER
  • CRASH COURSE
    Bicyclists in Florida are being killed at an alarming rate. In fact, in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, the fatality rate is nearly triple the national average. Learn how crashes occur so you can avoid being the driving force in one.
    Crash Course
    Type1

    Motorist Failed to Yield at a Signalized Intersection

    One A  Motorist drives through a red signal without stopping. The motorist could be speeding and unable to stop in time, trying to get through the intersection on a yellow or amber signal indication, disregarding the signal, or failing to see the red signal.

    One B  The motorist drives out after stopping for a red signal, into the path of an oncoming bicyclist. The motorist may be making a right turn on red and fails to look to the right to see an approaching bicyclist. The bicyclist could be riding the wrong way in either the roadway or on the sidewalk.

    Download Entire Crash Course
    CRASH ON HARBOUR ISLAND BRIDGE KILLS TWO
    March 28, 2011

    TAMPA - Two Marriott Waterside employees walking across the Harbour Island bridge after work were killed when a speeding driver lost control and hit them, police said.

    The crash happened just before 2 a.m. when a black, two-door Cadillac traveling at a high rate of speed southbound onto Harbour Island lost control and ended up on the sidewalk.

    Police say the driver hit the two pedestrians. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

    Investigators said the driver and two passengers had to be extricated from the car, but were otherwise not hurt.

    A look at the driver's past driving record shows multiple speeding infractions.

    He has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of DUI manslaughter, DUI with injury and battery on a law enforcement officer. Results of a blood-alcohol test are pending.

    Tampa police say they've been busy investigating deadly wrecks lately.

    "In the last 24 hours we've had three traffic crashes and they have resulted in four traffic deaths," Lt. Ron McMullen of the Tampa police department said Saturday.

  • DATA CENTER

    Let's reduce the speed of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths.

    See The Blindspots is a pedestrian and bicyclist safety campaign developed for Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7, which comprises of the Tampa Bay area... where, in 2009, pedestrians were injured every 7 hours.1

    These are alarming numbers. But when looked at statewide, the impact is even more staggering. So we're presenting data for the Tampa Bay area, as well as the state of Florida. Because once you See The Blindspots here, you can help Floridians see them everywhere.

    TAMPA BAY AREA1
    NEARLY 50%
    of fatal collisions with pedestrians are the result of pedestrians disobeying intersection traffic control or making dangerous judgments in attempting to cross the street.2
    Motorists and bicyclists were equally
    at fault (50%/50%) in ALL injurious
    motor vehicle-bicycle crashes.3
    MOTORISTS
    were at fault 61% of the time in all severe or fatal motor vehicle-bicycle crashes.3
  • PEDESTRIAN
    CRASHES
    occurred most frequently in urban areas, with 81% of all pedestrian crashes and 80% of pedestrian fatalities occurring in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.2
    Of these, 94% were crossing the roadway - mostly at unsignalized locations.2
    TAMPA BAY AREA1
    PEDESTRIANS KILLED WHO
    WERE UNDER THE INFLUENCE.4
    35%
    PEDESTRIAN INJURIES THAT OCCURED BETWEEN 3:00 PM AND 9:00 PM.2
    41%
    PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES THAT OCCURED BETWEEN 6:00 PM AND MIDNIGHT.2
    65%
    Sources:
    1 - FDOT District 7 Pedestrian Safety Press Kit, 2011
    2 - FDOT District 7 Pedestrian Safety Review, 2009
    3 - Hillsborough County Bicycle Safety Action Plan
    4 - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    5 - Florida Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
  • pedestrians severely
    injured every day6
    SIX
    pedestrians killed
    each week6
    NINE
    pedestrian fatalities per
    100,000 population4
    2.51
    National Avg. pedestrian
    fatalities per 100,000
    population2
    1.33
    17%
    of all bicyclists killed in U.S. died in Florida4
    2 most dangerous U.S. metro areas
    for walking: Orlando-Kissimmee and Tampa-St. Pete4
    9%
    of pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions occurred in parking lots7

    eleven of the twenty five
    most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians are in Florida4
  • 70%
    of police-reported bicycle-motor vehicle crashes involved cyclists that had violated traffic rules.8
    A cyclist who rides facing oncoming traffic increases the risk of being hit by a motorist by two to four times.3
    2-4x
    60%
    of fatal bicycle crashes in Florida occur during non-daylight hours.8
    70% of bicycle crashes that occurred at one- and two-way stop signs involved stop sign violations,
    but in two thirds of these cases, the driver did stop; the crash occurred when the driver then proceeded without yielding. 8
    Sources:
    6 - FDOT Crosswalk Safety Brochure
    7 - Florida Pedestrian Law Enforcement Guide, 2008
    8 - Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide, 2010
  • We've seen enough
    How many more ghost bike memorials do we need to see before we get the picture? Drive safely. Walk safely. Ride safely.
    This is not the scenery Florida wants to be famous for.
    Submit a memorial photo. Upload a photo End the epidemic.
    Please honor victims safely and responsibly. Ghost bikes are not permitted on the right of way of an Interstate, U.S. or state highway.
  • Resource Center
    We're not alone in our mission to make Florida the safest place to walk, bike and drive. Check out these resources for even more safety tips and programs.
     
     
     
     


     
     
     
     
     
  • LET US TELL YOUR STORY

    Were you involved in a pedestrian or bicyclist crash or know someone who was?
    Upload your story, or send us an email and maybe we can help you share it with our community.

    SUBMIT YOUR STORY

    JAMES MARSHAL

    TALKS ABOUT HIS FATAL CRASH

Please contact us at hello@seetheblindspots.com if you have any questions.

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