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As Another Tropical Storm Approaches Florida- A Warning About Roads

By Eddie Farah

Tropical Storm Fay, which just passed through our area, took a number of lives, including a teenage girl who was the head of her class as Paxon.

In fact, four of the Faye deaths involved motorists were not wearing their seat belts.

Now the Florida Highway Patrol is issuing safety tips as a precaution before Tropical Storm Gustav hits Florida.

First on the list is to stay put! Even if a hurricane never materialized, a Tropical Storm with its extended rain and wind and the unpredictable aftermath can lead to injuries and deaths. Sightseers impede roads for emergency personnel to pass.

Slow down- even if the storm has passed, the roads remain slick so avoid hydroplaning.

Buckle up your seat belt, the extra time it takes may just save your life. Besides it is the law in Florida.

Gusty winds make driving very difficult, adversely affecting all vehicles, especially high-profile trucks, buses as well as motorcycles. Even if you are not in a high-profile vehicle, the vehicle next to you might be one.

Do not drive through any flooded areas, even if you know the roads. You have no idea what is beneath the water, such as an eroded road surface, electrical wires, debris or tree branches.

If traffic lights are down, drive as though you are at a four-way stop and look for law enforcement directing traffic. Motorists looking for additional information during a story can call 511 on their cell phones for up-to-the-minute information on traffic congestion, road construction, lane closures, and delays on Florida's roads.

And it is a good time to remember to enter your contact information on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles web site.

That information shortcuts the time it takes to alert loved ones if you are in an accident. The effort was started by a woman whose daughter was killed in a motorcycle accident and she had to wait a half day to find her body.

Go online to enroll at www.flhsmv.gov.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Eddie Farah

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on August 28, 2008 (boomark / email).