As of today, traffic-related deaths in Lee County outnumber murders 34 to 3…a fact that’s spurred the county’s new Sheriff to institute a zero tolerance policy for reckless driving.
Lee County’s new Sheriff - Mike Scott - has plenty of issues to contend with – in one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. But he says traffic consistently sits atop the list. Sheriff Scott says the recently implemented “zero tolerance” policy is in response to the growing number of traffic-related fatalities – and traffic-related complaints from citizens.

“What we’re saying in Lee County is if the violation is a moving infraction likely to cause a crash, that no longer for our deputies is it an option to give a verbal or written warning. We want them to write the full-blown citation…if they witness the infraction, write the ticket.”

Sheriff Scott says the program’s been in place for about 2 weeks – and that it’s still too early to gauge results. Charlotte County’s new Sheriff – John Davenport – says traffic is also one of his department’s biggest concerns. Sheriff Davenport says motorists who run red lights are their primary focus – but also, older drivers…

“We are looking at these drivers that possibly cannot driver any more and we’re actually filling out a state form to have them retested. Because it comes to a point where…all of us…when we have to just understand that our reflexes are just not there, and our faculties just aren’t as sharp…and they’re causing problems on the roadway.”

Both sheriffs say when it comes to what they hear about from their communities – traffic is the number one complaint.