Hernando Sees 10 Percent Drop In Crashes

Overall, there were 10 percent fewer crashes on Hernando County's roads last years.

That's a reason for cautious celebration says Sgt. Matt Lillibridge, who oversees the sheriff's traffic division.

"It's something we're proud of, but we're going to watch that trend," Lillibridge said.

That trend was repeated on a statewide level, too, which posted mostly improvements in categories such as fatal crashes, according to the 2007 crash statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

But the report also highlighted areas that still need work, including alcohol-related crashes. Fatal crashes involving alcohol jumped 13 percent in the state, figures show.

The statistics also show a burgeoning trend among motorcyclists.

Fatal motorcycle crashes doubled in Hernando County last year from four to eight. And while the state saw a marginal drop of motorcyclists killed - less than 1 percent - crashes and injuries jumped 2.3 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.

Lillibridge isn't surprised.

Recreational bikers flock to this part of the coast, but Lillibridge is also seeing more people driving to work on motorcycles because of high gas prices.

"We have alarming figures across the state," he said.