WEST SAMOSET, Fla. — A man is dead and a woman was arrested following a crash involving a motorcycle in Manatee County, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said. 

The crash happened just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. 41 near the area of 33rd Avenue East in West Samoset. Troopers say the 56-year-old motorcyclist from Bradenton was going east within the driveway access of a nearby shopping center. In this area, 1st Street is another name for U.S. 41. 

At the same time, the 31-year-old driver from Bradenton was going south on the inside lane of U.S. 41 approaching the same driveway access. 

The motorcyclist turned right onto U.S. 41 in front of the 31-year-old’s car. This resulted in the front of the car hitting the rear of the motorcycle. 

Because of this, the 56-year-old man was ejected from his motorcycle and landed on the southbound inside lane of U.S. 41. The man died at the scene. 

Troopers say the 31-year-old woman was arrested for driving a car without a driver’s license and was booked into the Manatee County Jail. 

Credit: 10 Tampa Bay

We don’t have much patience on the road in Miami. Drivers want to be on the move despite gridlock, slow-poke tourists and people paying more attention to their cellphone than the light that just turned green.

But what happens if that red light doesn’t change to green? Is it broken? Did it skip a cycle? Or are you just impatient?

And is it legal in Florida to ignore a light that seems to be stuck on red, and pass through an intersection?

Here’s what to know:

What should you do if a traffic light doesn’t change?

There is no law in Florida allowing a driver to pass a solid red light that doesn’t change to green. That means you are risking a ticket if you run the red, even if the coast is clear. One thing to know: A light that doesn’t seem to change may just be taking longer than you’re used to, or have patience for — it doesn’t mean it’s broken.

Some states have what is called a “Dead Red Law,” which allows bicyclists and motorcyclists to run a red that isn’t triggered by their vehicle. Florida isn’t one of them, according to the Murphy Law Group in Sarasota.

If a red light isn’t changing to green, police and traffic advocates suggest pulling up to the intersection line, then rolling your vehicle back and forth to trip the light sensor in the pavement. If that doesn’t work, turn right on red when the coast is clear. Then report the faulty light to 511. A sensor may not recognize a bicycle, motorcycle or lighter vehicle, or just be faulty no matter the vehicle size. “I’m not going to tell you to just proceed through the intersection,” Trooper Steve Montiero told Orlando TV station WKMG. “What I will say if you can make a right and avoid this intersection and maybe make a U-turn later on down the road — that would be your best bet.”

If you do pass what you think is a stuck light and get caught, you can take it to court. “Unfortunately, ignorance of a law is not a good defense in most cases,” according to the Murphy Law Group. “However, your attorney may be able to help you defend against the citation, so you can avoid having it on your license. If a light is broken, or if the trigger system was not working, then it might have been reasonable to continue on safely. This is something to discuss with your attorney if you’re cited for running a red light that wasn’t working properly.”

What should you do if a traffic light is not working but flashing?

Florida law is clear on what drivers have to do if they approach an intersection with a flashing red or yellow light:

Red: According to Florida law, drivers who approach a flashing red light need to stop, check for traffic, then proceed through the intersection.

Yellow: Drivers who approach a flashing yellow light must proceed with caution, Florida law says.

Many teens say they’ve driven while they feel drowsy — and they believe that it’s not as dangerous as driving while drunk or distracted.

That’s just one of the findings revealed in the 2023 Drowsy Driving Survey from the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) in Washington, D.C., which explored 1,124 American teens’ attitudes and behaviors about drowsy driving.

One in six teens reported having driven while drowsy during their first two years behind the wheel, the survey found.

A vast majority (95%) of teens acknowledged that drowsy driving is dangerous — but they don’t think it’s as dangerous as drunk driving, drugged driving or distracted driving.

“It is important to note that drowsy driving is impaired driving, unequivocally — just like drunk, drugged and distracted driving,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, vice president of research and scientific affairs for the NSF, in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

As far as the reasons for drowsy driving, a majority of teens cited schoolwork and jobs as the biggest reasons for their sleep deprivation.

“Drowsy driving is impaired driving, unequivocally — just like drunk, drugged and distracted driving.”

Teens who have jobs said they were twice as likely to have driven while fatigued, to the point that they “had a hard time keeping their eyes open.”

Study limitations

The survey did have one chief limitation, Dzierzewski noted — which is the potential underreporting of drowsy driving. 

“However, this would mean that the actual rates of drowsy driving are even higher than what we found, suggesting the problem may be more widespread than currently believed,” he added.

“Something we found surprising is that even though motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among teenagers, most teens rated drunk, drugged and distracted driving as more dangerous,” Dzierzewski noted.

“Clearly, there is an opportunity for more education.”

ONLINE DANGERS ARE RAMPANT FOR KIDS TODAY — WHY PARENTS MUST KEEP THEM CYBER SAFE

Drowsy driving is entirely preventable, Dzierzewski said, emphasizing the need to teach young drivers about the importance of getting the necessary amount of sleep before operating a vehicle.

In a corresponding survey of 1,349 adults, the NSF found that the adults were even more likely to drive while drowsy — with six in 10 reporting having done so.

Tips for safe driving

Drowsy driving prevention is “everyone’s responsibility,” Dzierzewski emphasized.

“Always be on the lookout for drowsy driving warning signs when behind the wheel,” he advised. 

Some of those signs include having a hard time focusing on the road, yawning, blinking frequently, having trouble remembering the last few miles driven, having difficulty maintaining lanes, tailgating — or getting irritated with common traffic occurrences.

If any of those situations occur, it’s important to pull over to a safe place, said Dzierzewski, and get some rest, stretch or drink a caffeinated beverage.

“Only return to the road when you are sure it is safe to drive,” he said.

LACK OF SLEEP IS COMPROMISING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF 78% OF ADULTS, SURVEY FINDS

It’s also essential to get the recommended amount of sleep the night before your trip, said Dzierzewski. 

NSF recommends seven to nine hours of sleep per night for adults and eight to 10 hours for teens.

“While [drinking] caffeine, rolling down the windows and playing loud music might help you get safely to your destination, they are not a substitute for sleep.”

“Plan long trips with a companion who can not only look for early warning signs of fatigue, but also help drive when needed,” Dzierzewski suggested. 

“A good driving companion is someone who stays awake to talk to you and will be aware of your alertness.”

When on a long trip, he advises scheduling regular stops every 100 miles or two hours.

“Remember, while [drinking] caffeine, rolling down the windows and playing loud music might help you get safely to your destination, they are not a substitute for sleep.”

Roughly 20% of all motor vehicle crashes are related to drowsy driving, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Among drowsy driving-related crashes, 20% of them involved teens and young adults aged 16 to 24.

THERE are numerous ways you can use your car’s review mirror to easily enhance your driving experience.

A YouTube channel recently shared a huge tip that drivers can try with the rearview mirrors on their car to ensure clear and safe lane switches.

The YouTube channel known as @dashishuoche regularly shares car knowledge with its subscribers of nearly 850,000.

In a video, the person who runs the page suggested adjusting both mirrors to where the lower corner of them are lined up with the handles on the front doors to successfully use the simple mirror trick.

Once you have both your car mirrors properly adjusted, the YouTuber said you’ll have the best view of roadside curbs and cars coming up behind you.

One of the tips shared in the video involves splitting your rearview mirror into two even left and right sections mentally.

“It is safer to change lanes and make U-turns when the vehicle behind is on the right half,” the video informed.

“When it appears on the left half, it means that the car behind is very close to you.”

The clip went on to warn drivers, that if the car behind you is on the left side of the rearview mirror: “Don’t change lanes.”

The helpful YouTube video has been viewed nearly 5million times.

In the comments, a viewer said: “No matter what all you need is experience.”

Someone else chimed in saying: “Nice tricks.”

They added: “I would be carefull though, to take into consideration the measurements of your own car in order to use them.”

“Now I have to remember to get a marker to split my mirror into half,” a YouTuber said jokingly.

THE purpose of a poorly understood button found in many cars has been revealed in a Reddit thread.

A little power button or switch is a common feature on the bottom bracket of many rearview mirrors.

But lots of drivers have no idea what the button does, KFYR reported.

“The only thing that happens when I click the power button is the green light turns off,” one Reddit user said in a thread on the What Is This forum that’s currently unavailable.

But another user revealed that this button actually activates a car’s auto-dimming feature.

The change would only be perceptible at night, so it makes sense that some drivers wouldn’t see anything happen when pressing the button.

Reddit isn’t the only social media platform where people have been talking about the feature.

“You ever be driving home from a long day, then there is a chap right behind you who doesn’t know anything about social distancing & is all up in your personal space with their lights full beam?” one Twitter user asked.

“Well, your rearview mirror has that toggle that enables anti glare mode,” they said.

“This changes how the light reflects off the mirror so as not to blind you. You don’t have to adjust the whole mirror, just toggle that little thingamajig & you good.”

More details were provided on one Mazda dealer’s website.

“When auto-dimming is turned on, your rear-view mirror will automatically darken in order to reduce headlight glare,” the dealership said.

“There is a rear light sensor that can detect when a vehicle behind you is shining its headlights toward your mirrors. Anytime the vehicle is started, the auto-dimming feature will be activated.”

Still, not every car has this feature, and it should be noted that some vehicles have one button to turn it on and another that disables it.

But Reddit users were still happy to have an answer.

“Another great life mystery solved,” one said.

Teen drivers are especially endangered on the road because they lack experience as well as wisdom in both life and driving. Teenagers are easily distracted when operating a vehicle, especially by other passengers who are their own age. When their peers are in the car with them, teen drivers are more inclined to speed, take risks, and do other things they wouldn’t normally do.

Speeding

You are more likely to crash and lose control of your vehicle if you are traveling too fast. You shorten the response time to events happening around you while lengthening the stopping distance for your car. Additionally, speeding reduces the effectiveness of the safety features in your car, such as airbags and safety belts. Remember that you have less room to stop your car, less time to react to risks, less effective safety equipment, and a higher likelihood of collision when you speed in the future.

Use a Safety Belt

The use of a safety belt is one of the simplest ways to reduce danger when driving. In 2020, accidents involving teenage drivers resulted in maximum fatalities. The majority of young drivers who passed away in passenger cars in 2020 were not using seatbelts. Even during a collision, your safety belt will save you from being thrown out of the vehicle or striking its internal parts.

Reckless Driving

Driving while impaired includes being distracted, sleepy, or ill, as well as driving while intoxicated or in possession of another substance. Your teen is already aware of the laws prohibiting the use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances while operating a vehicle. However, please take the time to talk to your teen about what to do in the event that they must choose between driving while intoxicated or riding with an intoxicated driver.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is by far the most significant problem we face. Appreciate your teen for maintaining attention while driving and avoiding collisions. You can show your teen that you appreciate their efforts to drive safely by doing this.

For novice or inexperienced drivers in particular, driving in the rain can be tricky and sometimes deadly. As spring approaches, it’s crucial for teen drivers to be aware of the dangers of driving in bad weather and to take the appropriate safety measures to stay on the road.

Traction and Hydroplaning in Vehicles

When driving in the rain, one of the most crucial things to remember is that the roads can get quite slick, which will reduce your car’s traction and make it much harder to handle it. Slow down and keep a safe following distance to prevent hydroplaning or losing control. Additionally, you should steer clear of unexpected moves and abrupt stops that can make you lose control of the car.

Diminished Visibility

Maintaining sight is crucial when driving in the rain. It’s crucial to check sure your windshield wipers are functioning correctly and that your headlights are on because driving in heavy rain can make it challenging to see the road ahead. In general, windshield wipers need to be replaced every six months to a year. Keeping a greater distance from other cars will also allow you more time to slow down and avoid road spray from other vehicles.

Use of headlights properly in rain

Drivers should switch on their headlights to improve awareness and allow others to see them. Irrespective of the time of day or the weather, many states mandate headlamp use whenever your windshield wipers are in use. It’s important to check the intensity of your headlights because high beams can glare and reflect off of rainfall, making it difficult to see. If glare becomes a problem, drivers should switch to fog lights from high beams to increase visibility. Maintaining the functionality of your headlights will ensure that they are ready to go when you need them.

Receiving the right instruction and training from Drive Florida Safe Driving School for driving in the rain can have a significant impact on how both you and your car behave.

Make sure your soon-to-be driver is ready for the learning curve before looking for a reputable driving school for them. When you aren’t in the car with them, your objective is for them to drive safely. Programs from Drive Florida Safe Driving School can assist your teen in getting ready for their license and driving experience.

The Lessons Your Teen Learns

Drive Florida Safe Driving School wants to support young drivers’ education so they can operate vehicles safely. With years of experience instructing kids of this age, our staff is skilled at keeping their attention and ensuring that they retain the material.

Our effective driving school programs put a strong emphasis on safety, which includes being aware of the risks associated with distracted driving. They will get knowledge of driving techniques and local traffic regulations. The foundation that your teen builds will keep them safe on the roads for the rest of their lives.

The major pointers to be followed while driving for the first time:

Comfortably configure the vehicle

Before you start driving, make sure your seat, mirrors, and steering wheel are adjusted. Your body should be able to fit comfortably in the seat, which should be set back from the steering wheel. You can relax and concentrate better on the driving experience if you are comfortable.

You should have a clear view of your surroundings in your mirrors. There are certain steering wheels without adjustability. Find a steering wheel that fits your height and stature in this situation.

Choose your lane with care

Learn the function of each lane before your first time behind the wheel. You can avoid traffic jams by doing this. Only pass other cars at a safe pace in the far left lane, then take the left exit. If you’re moving at a constant speed over a large distance, the center lane is best. Before making a turn or changing lanes, give yourself extra room.

We at Drive Florida Safe Driving School offer in-depth driving instruction. You learn to drive safely and responsibly with the aid of our teachers.