FL D.O.T Releases Shocking ‘Blindspots’ Vid Showing People Getting Run Over
- Posted on November 21, 2011 at 9:42am by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
Each month, about nine people are killed by cars while they are crossing the road in Florida, making it the worst state in the nation for pedestrian fatalities. Just this past Wednesday, Nov. 16, one of these fatalities occurred when a pregnant woman was hit and killed leaving doctors scrambling to try and save her unborn child.
(Image: See the Blindspot)
Tampa Bay News 9 reports the driver of the car did not see the pedestrians, which consisted of two women pushing two strollers with toddlers. The report does note the mothers were pushing the children in a poorly lit area with no sidewalk on part of the road.
This is just one of many cases exemplifying why the Florida Department of Transportation District 7 launched a campaign — See the Blindspots — as a pedestrian and bicyclist safety awareness program.
While most people are on board with the program, it’s a recent campaign video that has some in the community up in arms. The videos shows graphic footage of pedestrians getting slammed by cars and laying in the middle of the street.
According to the See the Blindspot website, it is “opportunity for us to open our eyes to what we’ve been missing so we can begin looking out for each other.” In 2009, 466 pedestrian deaths took place in Florida; the next highest state was Texas with more than 100 less at 344. But it seems pedestrians in the Tampa Bay area have it the worst. According to the website, every seven hours a pedestrian is injured and seven are killed each month in the Tampa Bay metro area. The goal of the program is to reduce pedestrian fatalities in the state by 20 percent by 2015.
Watch the campaign ad here (Warning: the images are graphic and as the video notes, may be unsuitable for young children):
Tampa Bay’s News 10 reports dissension of over the video:
The traffic safety video shows real examples of pedestrians getting hit by vehicles. Sen. Mike Fasano calls the video clips horrific and he thinks they should be removed from the website.
[...]
Sen. Fasano thinks the images are over the top.
“They were truly graphic and something that shouldn’t be on a state website. I have great concerns as well with children having access to that website and going and watching those horrific and very sad videos.”
But some believe that the shock factor helps get the urgent message of the campaign across. News 10 reports Rep. Irv Slosberg as saying “We need something graphic on the air”:
Rep. Slosberg has worked tirelessly on road safety issues during his time in the Legislature. His focus comes from personal tragedy: his teenage daughter Dori was killed in a car crash.
Slosberg says a powerful message is needed to make an impact.
“We’re going backwards instead of forwards. A lot of it has to do with driver distraction: cell phones, texting and driving.”
But Sen. Fasano says families of these victims should not have to relive their personal tragedies through this video.
“I would encourage the department to relook at their policy and maybe, just maybe, although they’re doing a good cause and trying to get information and educate the public to do away with those graphic videos. It’s not necessary.”
(Image: See the Blindspot)
In addition to public messages about the campaign and pedestrian and cyclist statistics, the website also provides safety tips for both drivers and pedestrians and a forum for family and friends to share their story of a pedestrian or cyclist lost in a car crash.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 689 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 474 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 375 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 336 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 318 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 310 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 318 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 218 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 310 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (144)
OUTRIDER WRITER
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:39amOnly “blindspot” I saw from this crude video clip is the front windshield.
Report Post »Unix
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 11:07amThe only blindspot I can see is the pedestrians strolling and running into the street without even looking one way? It astounds me the ignorance in our society? You see a truck braking hard, maybe you want slow it down just a tad – even the drivers have gone blind.
Sad but true, we have devolved!
Report Post »Go Glenn
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 11:26amA more accurate title would be “WATCH OUT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION”
There were no “blindspots” involved in this video. Every single one involved a pedestrian who walked into the traffic without looking or by trying to hurry and beat a vehicle.
What is the campaign trying to accomplish? They should be trying to get people to pay attention when they are walking in traffic!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 12:29pm@Go Glenn
Report Post »You are correct!! I drive for a living, and people walk out in traffic from behind parked cars and trucks who can see past their hoods or take their eyes off their cell phone screens. And it’s the drivers fault for running them over when they blindly step in front of the car?? I’ve seen squirrels who who are smarter and look both ways…
KevINtampa
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 12:33pmHas anyone actually read the site? You should before you assume it is blaming the drivers.
“The root cause of this outbreak isn’t the cars or the roads or even the drivers who, unjustly or not, shoulder much of the blame. No, what’s causing this grisly pandemic is a dangerous mix of ignorance and indifference.”
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 12:45pmMy parents taught me to look both ways and don’t cross the street if there are cars coming your way.
Lack of education and/or stupidity is deadly.
Report Post »xstone1970
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 1:00pmI agree 100%… this isnt about bad drivers, every one of these people were not paying attention to traffic, were walking in the dark, crossing the street where there was no crosswalk, pedestrians do have an obligation to make sure they are acting safe as well.
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 1:01pm@kevin
Report Post »Seems to me they are blaming everyone equally. We should all stay home or at least out of Fl.
4XGrace
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 1:18pmThere used to be a time when road safety from a pedestrian’s point of view was taught to ALL elementary school children. Pointers such as WALK FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING. DO NOT WALK OUT BETWEEN CARS. But I guess personal safety isn‘t important anymore so they pin it on the drivers because that’s the easiest and most laziest way.
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 1:56pmWhen I was a child, I remember being a crossing guard at my grade school. We were taught to not only help the children get across safely, but to tell each child to look both ways to teach them to be safe. When I see adult crossing guards today, I see them tell the children to stayon the sidewalk while they go to the middle of the road, and after the traffic is stopped, they just wave the kids on and the kids seem to be oblivious to the traffic.
Report Post »mtcountrygrl
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 2:13pmI disagree with the “look both ways” argument. What I saw was people jay walking. Not one of these pedestrians was walking in a cross walk and with the light. Pedestrians have to follow the rules too.
Report Post »proantisocialist
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 2:34pmthe way i see it if you are pedestrian the car has the right of way,if you are in a car the truck has the right of way,and if your in a truck the train has the right of way….get the picture..
from looking both ways before crossing the street….
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 5:44pmThis could happen to anyone..In some instances…the blind spot hindered both driver and pedestrian..it always pays to be aware and in the moment…and even then..there are no assurances.. there was a man on his way back to California. at a service station..he’d just called his kids to say he was on his way home..when he spied a wrench lying by the median on a four lane..He walked out to pick up that wrench and in so doing..an off duty cop clipped him with his rear view mirror.. killing him.. he laid in a fetal position on the highway on his knees until the coroner came…very sad…
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 5:56pmYou want to ‘see’ a blind spot on our border? Our southern border near San Diego would be a good spot to begin. Interstates are crawling with illegals running in every direction. Causing a hazard to drivers.
This is likely a warning that Americans are going to be held responsible for “illegal deaths” caused by illegal immigration / refugees in their lust to enlist on the public dole payrolls and under the table cash jobs.
Report Post »theaveng
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 6:35pmLOOKS LIKE THEY ARE BLAMING DRIVERS TO ME. But when I look at the video, I don‘t see how the drivers could have avodied hitting these dumb walkers that didn’t look before crossing.
QUOTE: “Rep. Slosberg says a powerful message is needed to make an impact. ‘We’re going backwards instead of forwards. A lot of it has to do with driver distraction: cell phones, texting and driving.’ ”
NO. A lot of it has to do with pedestrians running out in front of cars. Like dumb animals.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 7:43pmIf you don’t like the way I drive…stay off the side walk!!
Report Post »caveman74
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:39amI feel sorry for the drivers who have to live with those images burned into their brains for the rest of their lives because these brain dead zombies couldnt figure out how to operate their necks well enough to swivel to the right and then the left before crossing. This might sound cold but thank you natural selection
Report Post »Go Glenn
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 11:30amTrue!!
And yet the officer says “We’re going backwards instead of forwards. A lot of it has to do with driver distraction: cell phones, texting and driving.”
The distraction I saw was that the first person hit was talking on the cell phone while crossing and not watching the traffic.
I am tired of this mentality where we blame the wrong person when an idiot gets hurt.
Report Post »Be responsible for yourself.
Marci
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 11:35amPretty common in Florida–the brainless operate on the assumption that you are supposed to stop so they cop an attitude and go without looking. I don’t miss Florida all that much.
Report Post »sgtstubbs
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 6:09pmYou might want to us the Old Police trick. Look left, look right look left…The go. Reason being that traffic on your left can change and with change come the “big bang”.
Report Post »Wheelerdude
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:38amWhile I agree drivers need to be aware, a lot of the clips were caused by a pedestrian who stepped where they should not have. Can’t blame a driver when a pedestrian suddenly steps in front of a fast moving vehicle. Responsibility is required for both parties!! I learned early on that you need to “stop, and look both ways”, and Dr. Leakey’s famous, Survival of the Fittest!
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:35amA lot of those, as I saw them, were more the fault of inattentive pedestrians than inattentive drivers, and I saw this are a PSA directed more at the drivers.
There’s nothing a driver can do about a pedestrian darting out from between stopped/parked cars into their path of travel. There’s nothing a driver can do about a pedestrian in dark clothing at night crossing against the DONT WALK light into their path of travel.
Now, this is not to completely insulate American drivers from culpability for pedestrian deaths. I would love to see a libertarian attitude toward automobile safety. Fewer road signs and traffic laws, not more. Fewer four-way stops and light-controlled intersections and more uncontrolled round-abouts.
One of the reasons Americans have more problems driving in foreign countries than foreigners have driving on American roads is that foreign roads have fewer rules of the road and fewer legal guarantees about things like rights of way. Foreign drivers have to stay on their toes and attentive while driving. Driving DEFENSIVELY, to coin a phrase. American drivers put too much stock and faith in traffic lights and road signs. “Obviously no one’s going to be coming through this intersection across my path of travel. The light is RED for them.”
Eliminate those “protections” and you shatter those illusions and people can either drive attentively or die. Over time, attentive driving will increase.
Report Post »JustAnotherComment
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:53amAgreed… the first ped was talking on a cell phone and his phone/hand was covering his peripheral vision (if any) to the car that hit him. As tragic as it is, if the peds were stopping/looking or even crossing in a crosswalk with a crossing light these could’ve all been avoided.
Report Post »TheBMT
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 11:13amAlot of those were pedestrians not realizing they have a 150-250lb weight compared to a vehicle of 2000-4000 traveling at 30-55mph. Yea they got “brakes”, but if they don’t see you or you go when your not supposed to, to “beat” the traffic. Its your own damn fault. When the pedestrians have right of way and its the proper time, then it will be the drivers fault if they hit them.
People need to drive a bit more defensive though.
Report Post »Go Glenn
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 11:33amWell said
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 12:23pmI guess I could also have said people can walk across the street defensively or die, but after that video, I think my words would be redundant.
Report Post »bbg1123
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:34amI don’t want to make light of a sad situation, but maybe we should ask the government to regulate walking for us. It’s dangerous, and clearly needs to be controlled by some government agency.
Report Post »Folks, you can’t fix stupid, though the government will try.
PFN
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:34amYou can’t fix stupid. Just another fear monger campaign designed to beat us into submission for some future law trying to fix stupid. Stupid is as stupid does.
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 12:44pm“Stupid is as stupid does.”
Report Post »This is true. Too bad, in this case, stupid started as “attitude” by a few, and morphed into stupid by offspring, culture and political correctness. If only the “It’s all about ME” attitude was allowed to to be corrected, nipped in the bud and taught as disrespectful in the first place….most people, kids, etc would stop, look and listen before crossing the road and we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
Valerie Summer
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:32amPersonal responsibility! Don’t walk in front of cars. Don’t assume you will be seen and the car will stop in time. Only cross on the crosswalk, with the light, and watch to make sure it is safe. Darwin was right.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 12:28pmBingo.
Report Post »Speaking_my_mind
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 12:48pmAbsolutely!
Report Post »Survival of the smartest!
Bunny3307
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:29amhey pedestrians might wanna look both ways before crossing the street. running out in front of cars is usually a bad idea….
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:26amUse the crosswalk and look both ways before attempting to cross.
Elementary.
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:25amCould have been avoided, how sad for those precious babies who had air headed mothers………..oh OUCH
Report Post »MinnesotaMARINE
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:22amSilly state of Florida, Those crashes are not all in Fl. They are in Asia and Europe.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:33amI‘m glad I wasn’t the only one who caught that.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:16am“We’re going backwards instead of forwards. A lot of it has to do with driver distraction: cell phones, texting and driving.”
Report Post »___________________________
This may sound cold.I know we have a cell phone problem…But
Every example I saw ,looked as if the pedestrian,took their life in their own hands.
How about having a pedestrian awareness campaign..? Cutting between cars,walking when the sign says don’t walk…!
I seen one guy“with brains”
He was standing back watching, while the other became a hood ornament.
You cant fix stupid.
Bum thrower
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:28amYou don’t understand; they screwed up and it’s YOUR fault…..
You are seeing the gene pool improved with each clip!!
Report Post »Echelon
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:13amNature has a way of doing away with those stupid enough to walk out in traffic :-)
Report Post »Ironeagle
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:11amAll these people acted stupidly and they paid for it with their lives. Who can fault these drivers??? i.e., that idiot who got hit crossing a major highway in the middle of the night wearing black clothing
Report Post »istatue
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:08amOne state has a law: You can’t pass a line of waiting vehicles, going 15 mph faster than they are.
Report Post »Its too fast for conditions? Might have helped.
Sheepdog911
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:19amAnd how are you to “know” you are going more than 15 mph faster than a line of traffic? A line of traffic does not imply that the “line” is stopped. The first guy in the video was on the phone looking away from oncoming traffic, between vehicles and away from the intersection. He got hit because HE was stupid, not because the driver did anything wrong. The same is true for most of the incidents depicted in the video. Maybe Pedestrians should have a walking license. Bottom line is that you can’t fix stupid, but the the stupid can and do routinely get themselves killed.
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:01amHey that’s an idea, the pro-life people need to air a one minute video of abortions on all networks, that ought wke people up!
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:10amYes, since this administration is all about SHOCK AND AWE. They want the graphic photos on cigarettes, too. I think it is well within their guidelines to show actual ABORTIONS.
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:01amThe video is unsuitable for adults! But we need to learn.
That one guy was literally torn in half, egads!
Report Post »Sheepdog911
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:23amSort of like the deer in the headlights gets torn in half.
Report Post »NCTRUTH
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:00amok IF THE CROSS WALK IS RED DONT GO. Damn there are stupid people. GET off the damn phone pay attention to what is going on. And no you cant take a hit from a car. If your dumb enough to walk out in front of a 3000lb hunk of steel— oh well i guess you won’t do that again.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 9:59am.
Auto Pedestrian Accidents are just Natures way of improving the species…………….
Rule 1. Look both ways before you cross the street. How hard is that?
Fact 1. Uncle Spanks truck has a huge cattle guard on it for a reason………
Report Post »grudgywoof
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 9:59amOwch!!!!! Reminds me of the lady who ran out in front of the train and “poof” she’s gone.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 10:51amThe Little Engine That Could. “I think I can”!!!!!
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 2:18pmI’ve seen that video. Wasn’t her husband right behind her trying to grab her and stop her? That’d be a horrible day to find out that your wife is stupid enough to rush out in front of a speeding train and that you were too slow to stop it. Kinda like if you were the husband of the woman who let her stroller and child roll onto the tracks as a train was coming into the station. Some acts are unforgivable, even when a woman commits them. No offense women, but you get a pass from society on alot of things that men do not. You want proof? Men cannot just declare that they do not want to participate in their child’s life during pregnancy. A man is held to account for his decisions when he makes them and he cannot rescend his decision and kill his child. He will be liable for child support every time.
Report Post »Grow6
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 9:59amYes it is a good reminder for both drivers and pedestrians. I hope they have a dual approach to inform drivers and pedestrians. Some situations in the video would be very hard to avoid as a driver, but completely avoidable as a pedestrian.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 9:58amDid you notice how many were paying attention while they walked into traffic? You can beat that line to death “pedestrians have the right of way”, but the pedestrian has an obligation to pull their head out of theirbehind and look around.
Report Post »MommyNeedsMoreCoffee
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 9:58amSo upsetting to watch….but what I saw, with few exceptions, were pedestrians making really foolish, deadly choices…crossing mid-street, crossing wearing dark clothing at night, jumping barriers to cross, stepping into the road from in front of another vehicle which blocked them from being viewed by oncoming vehicles…horrible, but it looked like pedestrian education is what’s needed. Ultimately, the pedestrian is the one that’s going to be killed if they make a bad decision. It’s like what we tell our boys who are learning to drive, you may have the right of way, but be ready to give it up because taking it may cost you your life.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 9:54amNow show abortions being performed.. that will REALLY SHOCK many.
Report Post »pipewrench
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 9:49amWOW!! I’m going to be more careful from now on
Report Post »