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Transportation experts estimate 54% of overall traffic congestion can actually be attributed to accidents and other non-recurring events which significantly impact the flow of traffic on our roadways. Orange County has seen an increased number of traffic fatalities this year and we continue to experience one of the state's highest rates of secondary crashes--resulting from earlier accidents--estimated between 13-33%.
In July 2003, Commissioner Ted Edwards, who also serves as Chairman of METROPLAN ORLANDO (Central Florida's Regional Transportation Planning Partnership), announced a new initiative aimed at reducing the impact of traffic accidents.
In August 2003, Edwards invited public safety and transportation leaders from Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties to Central Florida's first Executive Forum on Traffic Incident Management to discuss the impact of accidents and ways to improve local traffic accident clearance practices. More than 117 participants attended, representing all three counties, 14 municipalities and 20 related organizations.
At the Forum, Edwards also announced a public awareness campaign, which will inform drivers of Florida's Law (FL Statute 316.061) which states that when there are no injuries and damaged vehicles are obstructing the roadway, drivers "must make every reasonable effort to move the vehicle or have it moved as not to block the regular flow of traffic."
On January 16, 2004, METROPLAN ORLANDO, the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Highway Patrol and law enforcement and fire rescue representatives announced the adoption of the Tri County Area Open Roads Policy by Central Florida's municipalities. At the same time, the group announced the launch of the MOVE IT Yes You Can! public awareness campaign, which will include the distribution of an MOVE IT Accident Safety Checklist brochure, television and radio PSAs, and billboard campaign, made possible by public and private sector partnerships.
Immediately following the press conference, Central Florida's second Executive Forum on Traffic Incident Management was held, where law enforcement, transportation and emergency responders discussed improving clearance times through greater "Communication, Coordination, and Cooperation" among responder agencies. |
Traffic 
