Gulf Coast News rides along as Fort Myers police enforce traffic laws on busy roads

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Fort Myers police stepped up traffic enforcement during a morning operation Wednesday, citing drivers for running red lights, distracted driving and other violations in an effort to reduce crashes on some of the city’s busiest roads.

Officer Justin Trask of the Fort Myers Police Department patrolled major corridors including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Colonial Boulevard and State Road 82. During the operation, Trask cleared traffic from MLK Blvd. so emergency crews could reach a rollover crash.

Police say morning hours are especially dangerous, with high traffic volume and distracted driving contributing to collisions. Trask said crashes have declined recently, but violations remain common.

“We do emphasize a focus on distracted driving,” Trask said.

At the intersection of Colonial Blvd and SR-82, officers watched multiple drivers run red lights. Two drivers were stopped and cited within minutes.

One stop for an equipment violation escalated when a woman driving a blue Lexus was accused of driving without a valid license for the fourth time. She was arrested and taken into custody.

“In some situations, when somebody has done it multiple times, you have to do what you’ve got to do,” Trask said.

The morning operation ended with another driver stopped for making an illegal U-turn at Colonial Blvd. and Winkler Avenue. That driver received a warning due to a clean driving record.

Police say traffic enforcement operations like this are meant to improve safety and prevent serious crashes. Trask urged drivers to slow down, obey traffic laws and stay focused behind the wheel.

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