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The holiday season can bring lots of joy, family traditions, social gatherings, and so much more, but there can also be unexpected hazards. While the twinkling lights, towering Christmas trees, sparkly décor, and festive celebrations may transform our homes into winter wonderlands, it also creates a lot of potential hazards for your family and any guests.

Frequent Holiday Home Catastrophes

When making a U-turn, a driver needs to be very cautious and make sure it is legal before doing so. Pedestrians and incoming automobiles must also be given the right of way. Careless U-turns are a frequent reason for collisions involving several vehicles, collisions with oncoming traffic, and collisions involving pedestrians.

A busy St. Pete intersection at Tyrone Blvd and 66th Street near the Crossroads Shopping Center is widely used by drivers to make U-turns, spurring concerns for area residents who feel the busy roadway coupled with drivers executing U-turns is a combination for disaster.

In Florida, U-turns are legal if there is not a sign at the intersection prohibiting them.

The problem with this specific intersection is that it is common for vehicles leaving the shopping center onto 66th Street to attempt a U-turn simultaneously with vehicles coming from the opposite direction.

In this case, the car making the U-turn should yield to the motorist turning right, but frequent visitors to the plaza feel that a ‘No U-turn’ sign would be a welcome addition to clear up any confusion and eliminate any dangers.

There is a sign up currently that alerts drivers to watch out for motorists turning.

According to a news report, the Florida Department of Transportation has been alerted to the potential issue and will conduct a crash review of the intersection to determine if any changes should be made.

Even if you are confident that the U-turn you are going to make is legal, you must execute it appropriately and with caution to ensure that oncoming traffic has passed and there are no pedestrians. Additionally, all U-turns should be made in the appropriate lane and location. The following are some causes of U-turn vehicle collisions:

• Not Yielding: Even though most of us are aware that we should look before turning, if we are in a hurry, we may make an irrational judgment and fail to check for oncoming traffic.
• Violation of Traffic Laws: A driver’s failure to observe or abide by the traffic signal often results in a U-turn crash. A driver who disregards the traffic signal and causes a U-turn collision may be held responsible for any injuries or property damage.
• Making a U-turn from an Incorrect Location: Examples include parking lots, areas where U-turns are prohibited, and the right side of two left-turn lanes.
• Adverse Weather Conditions: Storms and fog can limit traction and visibility, increasing the likelihood of U-turn accidents. However, weather-related accidents do happen, even in the absence of rain or snow. Direct sunlight can impair a driver’s ability to see, which can lead to an accident.

U-turn car accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, and victims may require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Should the accident be the consequence of another person’s carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, property damage, rehabilitation expenses, and even emotional distress. Continue reading

Tampa’s version of Mardi Gras, but with pirates is back! This swashbuckling shindig is slated to start on Jan. 20 with the Children’s Gasparilla Parade from 12-7:30 p.m. The Gasparilla Pirate Fest happens on Jan. 27.

You can view information on parking here as well as parade routes.

What Roads Will Be Closed for Children’s Gasparilla?

Friday, January 19 starting at 10 p.m. through Saturday January 20 until 12 a.m.

• Bayshore Boulevard between West Gandy Boulevard and West Platt Street
• Davis Islands Bridge off-ramp onto Bayshore Boulevard

Saturday, January 20 ALL DAY

• West Bay to Bay Boulevard between South Ysabella Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard

Saturday, January 20 3 p.m.-midnight

• Eastbound lanes on West Bay to Bay Boulevard at South MacDill Avenue

What Roads Will Be Closed for Gasparilla Pirate Fest?

Friday, January 26 starting at 10 p.m. through Saturday January 27 until 12 a.m.

• Bayshore Boulevard between West Gandy Boulevard and West Platt Street
• West Bay to Bay Boulevard between Bayshore Boulevard and South Ysabella Avenue
• Davis Islands Bridge off-ramp onto Bayshore Boulevard

Saturday, January 27 (3 a.m. – 12 a.m.)

• Bayshore Boulevard between West Brorein Street and West Platt Street
• West Platt Street/Channelside Drive from South Plant Avenue to South Franklin Street

Saturday, January 27 (5:30 a.m. – 12 a.m.)

• Crosstown – Eastbound South Willow Avenue Exit Ramp (Exit 4)

Saturday, January 27 (7 a.m. – 12 a.m.)

• South Ashley Drive between Jackson Street and Brorein Street
• Brorein Street from South Jefferson Avenue to South Parker Street
• South Franklin Street between Channelside Drive and Harbour Island Bridge
• Water Street between South Franklin Street and South Florida Avenue
• East Washington Street between South Ashley Drive and South Tampa Street
• East Whiting Street between South Ashley Drive and South Tampa Street

Saturday, January 27 (9 a.m. – 12 a.m.)

• East Kennedy Boulevard between North Florida Avenue and South Plant Avenue
• North Ashley Drive between East Cass Street and East Jackson Street
• East Jackson Street from North Ashley Drive to North Tampa Street
• East Madison Street between North Ashley Drive and North Florida Avenue
• East Twiggs Street between North Ashley Drive and North Florida Avenue
• East Zack Street between North Ashley Drive and North Florida Avenue
• East Polk Street between North Ashley Drive and North Florida Avenue

Saturday, January 27 (11 a.m. – 12 a.m.)

• West Cass Street between North Willow Avenue and West Tyler Street
• West North A Street from North Willow Avenue to North Newport Avenue
• West North B Street from North Willow Avenue to North Newport Avenue
• West Fig Street between North Willow Avenue and North Gilchrist Avenue
• West Carmen Street between North Willow Avenue and North Delaware Avenue
• North Newport Avenue between West Cass Street and West North A Street
• North Gilchrist Avenue between West Cass Street and West Fig Street
• North Boulevard between West Cass Street and West Main Street

Saturday, January 27 (1:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.)

• Cass Street between West Tyler Street and North Tampa Street
• West Tyler Street between North Tampa Street and West Cass Street

Saturday, January 27 (2 p.m. – 12 a.m.)

• North Boulevard between West Kennedy Boulevard and West Cass Street

Saturday, January 27 (3 p.m. – 12 a.m.)

• West Bay to Bay Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) between South MacDill Avenue and South Ysabella Avenue
• West Platt Street at South Howard Avenue
• West Platt Street at South Willow Avenue
• West Platt Street at South Boulevard
• South Willow Avenue between West Kennedy Boulevard and West Platt Street
• South Boulevard between West Kennedy Boulevard and West Platt Street
• East Whiting Street between Tampa Street and Franklin Street

Saturday, January 27 (4:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.)

• West Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) at South Himes Avenue
• West Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) at South MacDill Avenue
• West Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) at South Howard Avenue
• West Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound closure only) at South Boulevard

Who Can I Call For Help During the 2024 Gasparilla Pirate Fest?

Other Safety Tips

• Establish a Meeting Spot: Limited mobile service may be available during the event due to big crowds. It is important to set up a meeting location ahead of time in case some of your group gets lost.
• Take a Picture of Your child in Their Costume: Notify the closest officer right away if your child disappears. Police will be stationed throughout the entire parade route. A picture of what they are wearing will prove helpful in locating them faster.
• Drinking: It is strictly forbidden to consume alcohol at the Children’s Gasparilla events. “Wet Zones” will be set up by the parade routes in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park where you can consume alcohol. It is not permitted to consume alcohol on public property outside of specified wet zones. Underage alcohol consumption and disruptive behavior are not tolerated at all.
  • Absolutely no alcohol consumption by minors.
  • No drinking or opening alcohol-containing containers outside of approved wet zones.
  • No kegs, coolers, glassware, Styrofoam cups, weapons, umbrellas, grills, tents, and fencing.
  • All bags and backpacks are subject to searches.

Can I Bring My Pet to Gasparilla?

Except for service animals, pets are not permitted at the event.

Are Bicycles Allowed?

Bicycles are permitted for transportation to the event location; however, riders must walk their bikes throughout the street closure. Always keep your bicycle under your supervision, and never lock it on city or private property.

What About E-bikes, E-scooters, and Golf Carts?

For shared e-scooters and e-bikes, a No-Ride Zone has been set up for the Children’s Gasparilla and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. At both events, personal scooters are not permitted.

At both events, personal golf carts are not permitted. Golf carts operated by approved festival personnel and vendors are the only ones that are allowed.

Can I Dock My Boat?

There is an extreme lack of docking space during Gasparilla in and around downtown Tampa. It is strictly forbidden for boaters to attempt to “come ashore” along Bayshore Boulevard or any other property without a permit.

On January 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, Ballast Point Park’s boat ramp will be closed.

It is forbidden to toss beads and other waste into the bay. In addition to being extremely detrimental to the environment, beads and other non-biodegradable objects pose a major threat to marine life.

Contact Us If You Are Injured at Gasparilla Continue reading

There is a plethora of benefits associated with walking, including the physical/health aspect, but also personal, environmental, and social benefits. Walking can lead to more community engagement which can improve local economies and lead to more vibrant and livable areas, and even create cleaner, quieter, and safer streets.

Unfortunately, there were 6,516 pedestrians killed in the United States in 2020. This breaks down to 125 pedestrian deaths a week or 18 pedestrians a day. In 2020, a pedestrian was killed every 81 minutes and injured every 10 minutes.

In 2019, Florida had the second highest number of pedestrian fatalities – 713. California took the top spot with 972 pedestrian deaths and Texas came in third with 649 pedestrian deaths.

The numbers do not lie – pedestrian accident deaths are a huge problem in the U.S. Here are some more key statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• There were 6,205 pedestrian deaths in 2019, a 2.7% decrease from the 6,374 pedestrian deaths in 2018.
• In 2019, around 76,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic accidents, a 1% increase from the 75,000 pedestrian injuries in 2018.
• In 2019, a pedestrian was killed every 85 minutes and injured every 7 minutes.
• In 2019, pedestrian deaths accounted for 17% of all traffic deaths.

Every person is a pedestrian at some point in time, so it is vital for everyone to understand the rules of the road for pedestrians and drivers. With Daylight Savings Time coming to an end, we will see it getting darker earlier, which only increases the risks for pedestrians. The majority of hit and run pedestrian accidents happen at night or during low-light hours.

Important Safety Reminders for Pedestrians:

• Walk on sidewalks or paths when they are available.
• If there is no sidewalk or path available to use, then walk on the shoulder of the road facing traffic.
• Do not become distracted by eating or texting or talking on a phone, or even listening to a podcast or music on your headphones. Do not let anything take your eyes or ears off the road.
• If you are walking somewhere at night, exercise extreme caution and never assume that a motorist can see you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach you.
• Drivers expect to see pedestrians and crosswalks or intersections, so cross streets here whenever possible. If one is not available, then find a well-lighted area and pause for a gap in traffic that is a large enough window to allow you to cross the street safely. As you cross, always continue to watch for traffic.
• Make yourself visible by wearing bright clothing during the day. At night, wear reflective clothing and use a flashlight
• Refrain from using drugs or alcohol when walking.

Important Safety Reminders for Drivers:

• Pedestrians could be anywhere, and they may not be walking where they should be or hard to see, so keep an eye out for them especially at night and in bad weather conditions
• You should always stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk.
• Do not pass vehicles that are stopped at a crosswalk as they may be stopped for pedestrians that you cannot see.
• Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Follow the posted speed limits, and always slow down when pedestrians are present.
• Make sure you are focused when driving and slow down your speed in school zones and neighborhoods where there may be children present.

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A single-vehicle crash that happened on Sept. 29 has left a 16-year-old boy dead and four other teens suffering serious injuries. 

The 16-year-old passed away Monday night, according to St. Petersburg police. The other four teens that were involved in the wreck are recovering from their injuries at home.

The crash happened just before 11 p.m. while the 16-year-old teen was behind the wheel of a 2003 Mazda. Police believe he was driving recklessly as well as speeding when he crashed into a curb, hydroplaned, and ultimately struck a tree. 

Firefighters arrived at the scene to remove the teen driver from the vehicle and transport him to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg hospital to treat his life-threatening injuries. 

Another 16-year-old boy was transported to the same hospital with critical injuries. Two other teen boys, 16 and 17, were also treated at that same hospital for minor injuries. 

Police also believe a 14-year-old girl was riding in the same vehicle with the teen boys, but have not said if she was injured. 

Police did say that none of the teen’s involved in the wreck had a driver’s license. 

A St. Petersburg police spokeswoman said the crash remains under investigation.

Teen Driving Facts 

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,255 teen drivers aged 15-19 were involved in fatal car accidents in 2017. 
• Of the 3,255 teens involved in fatal car wrecks in 2017, 2,526 were killed. 
• When compared to adults, teens are 10 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision. 
• Car accidents are still the leading cause of death amongst teens in the United States. 
• The majority of fatal teen driving accidents happen within 6 months of the teen receiving their driver’s license.
• Speeding accounts for 31% of all fatal teen auto accidents. 

Teen drivers, even though they may have their driver’s license, are usually not ready for the same driving responsibilities as adults. Their lack of experience, immaturity, and lack of skill are all factors for why teen drivers are involved in a higher rate of fatal collisions. Teen drivers make mistakes, become easily distracted, speed, and take unnecessary risks, especially when they have other teen passengers riding along with them. 

What You Can Do to Help Your Teen Driver Stay Safe Behind the Wheel 

As a parent or caregiver you should realize that you have more influence over your teen driver than you may think. Talk to your child about the dangers of drinking and driving, texting while driving, and engaging in other dangers when behind the wheel. Having healthy discussions about dangerous driving behaviors can deter your teen from making poor decisions when they are driving. 

You also want to lead by example. If you practice safe driving habits, the odds are that they will, too (hopefully). You can set aside time to take your teen driver out on the road to get in good practice. This is also good quality time spent together while teaching them some basic driving skills. Remember, your teen’s driving education starts at home with you. 

You can set boundaries and consequences when it comes to your teen driving. If you catch your teen talking or texting while driving, or breaking any other driving rule you have set, such as speeding, driving somewhere that is not allowed or having too many passengers in their car, then create consequences that will make them think twice about breaking another rule again. Limit where and when they can drive, take away their cell phone, etc. Teens need to be constantly reminded to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel at all times, every time they are behind the wheel. 

If your teen has been involved in an auto accident as a driver or passenger that was no fault of their own, then you could be entitled to financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are well equipped to handle teen driving claims, including any wrongful deaths that have resulted. There is no dollar amount that can undo a serious injury or bring back a lost child, but a personal injury or wrongful death claim can hold the negligent party accountable for their recklessness and prevent the same thing from happening to someone else. 

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