The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking motorists to do what they can to eliminate traffic fatalities. The Collier County Commission says it’s taken the first step, proclaiming Tuesday as “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day”. It’s part of a nationwide effort to remind drivers to be a little more vigilant on the roads, take better care of their vehicles, wear seatbelts and not be in such a rush. Lieutenant Harold Minch of the Collier Sheriff’s traffic enforcement bureau says doing that makes the roads safer.

“Every fatality is a tragedy to both the family and the community. So whether we have...we had 61 total last year, we’ve had 47 so far this year, we may be under our number. We may come in under 61. But coming in underneath that doesn’t help us any. There are still 47 families that are suffering a loss this year.”

Minch says drunk drivers are one of the biggest problems. Last year in Collier County, nearly 40-percent of the deaths were alcohol-related.
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The Collier County Board of Commissioners has declared Tuesday as “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day”. Commissioners and law enforcement officials say too many people die needlessly on area roads. This year in Collier alone, 47 have died. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Harold Minch says slowing down, wearing seatbelts and driving sensibly helps.

“If you put all the prongs together: properly built and engineered roadways, cars that are in proper condition and working order. And there’s been some tremendous gains in the technology of vehicles to help us out: airbag curtains on the side, traction control systems help us out a great deal. And then the enforcement is for those folks who just will not pay attention.”