THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, ITS BEING CALLED A FIREBALL RETURN TO EARTH.

THE ASTRONAUTS OF THE ARTEMIS 2 MISSION ARE CLOSING IN ON HOME WRAPPING UP THEIR HISTORIC SPACE JOURNEY.

WE'RE HITTING THE ROAD WITH HIGHWAY PATROL TROOPERS WHO ARE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR DISTRACTED DRIVERS AND FINDING OUT JUST HOW BIG THIS PROBLEM IS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AND THIS DISPLAY OF PINWHEELS LINING A BEACH IS ABOUT RAISING AWARENESS ALL IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THE ARTEMIS 2 MISSION THAT LAUNCH FROM CAPE CANAVERAL ON APRIL.

1ST IS ABOUT TO MAKE HISTORY ONCE AGAIN BY THE END OF THIS EVENING.

THE ROCKET CARRYING 3 AMERICANS AND ONE CANADIAN BLASTED OFF FROM FLORIDA.

BUT THEIR RETURN WILL BE A SPLASHDOWN IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

HERE'S AN IDEA OF WHAT SOME OF THIS MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, THE ASTRONAUTS TRAVELED FARTHER INTO SPACE THAN ANYONE ELSE EVER ALMOST 253,000 MILES FROM EARTH.

THE LUNAR CREWS MARKS A MAJOR MILESTONE IN THE GOAL OF LANDING BACK ON THE MOON ABOUT 2 YEARS FROM NOW, AS FAR AS TONIGHT SPLASHDOWN THE USS JOHN MURTHA IS WAITING FOR THE CAPSULE AFTER RE-ENTRY.

THIS MARKS THE FIRST TIME NASA HAS TEAMED UP WITH THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT ON REENTRY SINCE 1972 AND THE RETURN OF APOLLO 17.

THE FOOD SERVICES INDUSTRY IS PROJECTED TO GROW IN THE COMING YEARS.

BUT THERE IS A LABOR SHORTAGE.

ONE ORGANIZATION IS TRYING TO FILL THAT NEED BY TRAINING STUDENTS TO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY REGARDLESS OF THEIR LEVEL OF ABILITY AT A LEE COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR REMARKABLE CITIZENS.

WGCU REPORTER YOUN-JOO PARK LEARNED ABOUT THEIR NEW CULINARY TRAINING PROGRAM.

>> THE DINING AREA WAS PULSATING.

PEOPLE WERE MINGLING.

AND SNOW HANDS.

PULSE WAS RACING AND SHE PICKED THAT CASTS FROM THE SAFETY OF THE KITCHEN.

>> I'M FEELING EXTREMELY NERVOUS BECAUSE I'M GONNA MAKE MY BODY.

MY NEIGHBORS TURN OUT.

>> THE WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION THEY HEAVY LIKE A TRAY FULL OF FOOD.

ALL FOODS WERE PREPARED WITH UTMOST CARE.

AND NOW.

IT WAS TIME.

TIME TO GO OUT AND SERVE GUESTS.

>> I CAN GIVE YOU A CAT.

THAT.

>> CHEFS AND THEY GET DISPATCHED TO STUDENTS TO THE DINING AREA WITH LAST MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS AND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT >> ARE THEY NERVOUS ABSALOM LIKE I TOLD THEM IF YOU'RE NERVOUS, THAT'S WHAT YOU JUST CARE.

YOU CARE BECAUSE YOU WANT TO SUCCEED.

AND YOU'RE PERFORMING.

YOU'VE NOT PERFORM FOR ANYONE ELSE, BUT YOURSELF SAYING I CAN DO THIS.

EVERYTHING.

>> IN THIS BUILDING, THIS BRAND NEW.

SO IS THE CULINARY TRAINING PROGRAM.

>> THEY GET TO TOUCH THE FIRST PANS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN TOUCHED.

THE FIRST, THOUGH, THE FIRST, YOU KNOW, FIRST CUTTING OF THE FIRST APPLE HAS GIVEN US, YOU KNOW, A LIGHT TO SEED WHAT THE FUTURE BRINGS >> THE LEE COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR REMARKABLE CITIZENS OR A LARK AIMS TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO STUDENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

THE STATE OF THE ART KITCHEN AND DINING AREA PROVIDE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES TO HELP THEM LAND A JOB AND GAIN INDEPENDENCE.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ALTHOUGH THE FOOD SERVICES INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO EXPAND, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH WORKERS TO FILL JOBS.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANGELA CATS SINCE LARK IS TRYING TO HELP FILL WORKFORCE GAP.

WE WE HELP PEOPLE BUILD LIFE SKILLS AND OCCASIONAL SKILLS.

AND HOW CAN WE TAKE THAT?

>> AND NOW HELP OUR COMMUNITY SAW THE WORKFORCE CRISIS IN THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY.

>> AND SO IT REALLY DID GREW FROM THAT.

>> IT TOOK MULTIPLE YEARS FOR THIS PROJECT TO COME TO LIFE >> AFTER RESEARCH.

>> FUNDRAISING BEGAN IN 2019.

>> THE CONSTRUCTION COST A MILLION DOLLARS OF WHICH 650,000 CAME FROM THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

STUDENTS RECEIVE A FULL SCHOLARSHIP AND A CHEF COAT.

THEY ALSO GET 4 MONTHS OF TRAINING FROM CHEF.

THEY KEPT.

A 30 YEAR VETERAN OF THE FOOD SERVICES INDUSTRY.

BIGGEST OWN FAMILY BACKGROUND ALLOWS HIM TO BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS.

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE A COUSIN THAT IS AN ADULT GRADUATED FROM FORT MYERS HIGH AND HE SPENT SOME TIME AT LARK AND DOWN THESE.

FULL FULLY FUNCTIONAL.

DON'T NOW CARING FOR HIS FATHER.

AND I'M IN IS IN HIS 50'S.

SO DON'T VERY WELL.

SO SEEING A PROGRAM LIKE THAT AND HAVING FAMILY MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, KIND OF TALKS TO YOUR HEART.

>> SHAUN, THE BRANCH SAYS HE IS THANKFUL FOR HIS PARENTS PRESENCE AT THE GRAND OPENING.

>> HERES A GUY MEAN THERE IS.

BUT WHEN I SAW MY FAMILY FOR THEM AND I'M SURE THE KITCHEN I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE THEM AND THEY NEED SO HAVING A NEW LIFE CHURCH MET.

>> SHAWN'S MOM, CURRY SAYS HE HAS STARTED TO COOK FOR THEIR FAMILY.

>> I'M JUST GRATEFUL THAT THERE'S A PROGRAM OUT THERE THAT ARE FOR THESE PEOPLE.

AND HE'S JUST LEARNING SO MUCH.

SEAN ALSO BRINGS HOME.

>> YOU RE PASSABLE EXCITEMENT OF HIS NEWLY LEARNED SKILLS.

>> ACCORDING TO A STEP THAT DENNIS CURRY.

>> DAY BY DAY.

>> HE COMES HOME AND HE GOES ON ABOUT WHAT HE GETS A BAD DAY.

>> AND WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO AND THEN A GREAT CITY COOK JUST TO GET A COAT.

>> THE CULINARY LESSONS ARE ESPECIALLY IMPACTFUL BECAUSE OF A GUY USES THE MAIN INGREDIENTS OF PATIENTS AND ENCOURAGEMENT AND TEACH >> I CHALLENGE HIM.

I MET THEM, MAKE A VINAIGRETTE OR OR A RECIPE THAT THEY CREATE AND THEN SEE HOW THAT RECIPE COMES OUT.

THEN WE TALK ABOUT, WELL, WE PUT A LITTLE TOO MUCH TO THIS.

IT'S A LITTLE TOO SPICES AND THEY RECOGNIZE, WELL, I'VE GOT TO COME BACK AND NO THAT MY PALATE ME ENJOY IT.

THAT'S SOMEONE ELSE'S MAY NOT.

SO IT'S THE.

THE MESSING UP IS A GOOD THING IN THAT IT ALLOWING US TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> ANGELA CATS OF LARK SAYS STUDENTS HAVE SOME JOB PROSPECTS ARE ALREADY LINED UP WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> THEY PREPARED AND SERVED A LUNCH FOR OUR 72ND ANNIVERSARY ON MARCH 13TH AND THEY WILL SERVE A COMMUNITY EVENT ON MARCH 31ST.

SO THEY'RE GETTING ALL IN THIS EXPERIENCE THAT THEY CAN ADD TO THEIR RESUME AS WELL.

AND THEN WE WORK WITH WE WORK WITH EMPLOYERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO BELIEVE IN IT OR DIVERSIFIED WORKFORCE AND THEN WE MATCHED THEM TO PLAYERS.

>> ALTHOUGH SNOW HADN'T HAPPENED NERVOUS AT FIRST WORDS OF PRAISE FROM GUESTS MELTED HER ANXIETY.

AT THE END, SHE EVEN GOT THE COURAGE TO SPEAK TO THE CROWD ABOUT HOW THEIR SUPPORT TOUCHED HER HEART.

>> FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M YOUN-JOO PARK.

>> WITH A NEW FULL COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, A LARK, THE CULINARY TRAINING PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE FOR FUTURE COHORTS.

COMING UP, RIDING ALONG WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKING TO COMBAT THE DISTRACTED DRIVING EPIDEMIC.

>> MORTALITY CAN BE A DIFFICULT SUBJECT TO TALK ABOUT.

EVEN AS OUR LIFE SPANS ARE GROWING LONGER.

BUT THE QUESTION REMAINS, HOW DO WE KEEP OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AS WE GROW OLDER GIVE US SOME PERSPECTIVE ON THAT.

SEAN FELTON, THE DEAN OF THEM ARE OF THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AT FGCU JOINS US NOW.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

MIKE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME HERE.

YOU WROTE AN OP-ED PIECE RECENTLY SAYING THE AGING POPULATION IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS NOT A CRISIS.

YOU CALLED IT AN OPPORTUNITY OR DO YOU MEAN BY THE ALL?

ABSOLUTELY.

I WANT TO FIRST ALSO PRESIDENT AMBER FOR WRITING THAT OP-ED WITH US AS WELL.

>> BUT THE OPPORTUNITY IS THAT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, ONE IN 4 PEOPLE WILL BE NORTH OF 65 YEARS YEARS OF AGE.

AND PEOPLE COME HERE TO LIVE AND THRIVE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AND SO I THINK WITH THAT POPULATION, WE HAVE A HUGE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY DRIVE FORWARD WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON IS IS HEALTH SPAN.

AND I KNOW WE'LL GET INTO THAT HERE IN JUST A MOMENT.

YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, YOU THE COLLEGE RECENTLY COLLABORATED WITH ARTHREX.

>> AND YOU'RE LAUNCHED A MOVEMENT CALLED 3.18 >> MEANING MARCH 18TH AND IN A COMMON PURPOSE.

K CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP AND WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO?

ALL?

ABSOLUTELY.

AND THE 3.18, AS YOU ALLUDED TO WAS ON MARCH 18TH, BUT IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT, THAT IT WAS 318 OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL INDIVIDUALS HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TO COME TOGETHER.

2 REALLY MOVE ARE INITIATIVE ON ON HEALTH SPAN.

IT WAS TRULY A HISTORICAL LAUNCH MOMENT.

YOU ISSUE IS THE BACKBONE OF THIS THROUGH OUR SHADY REST INSTITUTE ON POSITIVE AGING.

BUT WE CAN'T DO ALL THE WORK ITSELF AND IT'S NOT JUST A HEALTH CARE PERSPECTIVE.

THIS IS TALKING ABOUT PARTNERS WITHIN EDUCATION PARTNERS IN HOUSING PARTNERS IN ALL SECTORS OF THE AREA HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AS WE WERE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS LAUNCH NO BETTER PLACE THAN ARTHREX WITH.

THEY JUST BREEDS INNOVATION.

BUT IT WAS A PHENOMENAL EVENT.

BUT THE REAL WORK REALLY BEGINS NOW.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO BRING FORWARD.

I'M THE CEO AND FOUNDER OF AGE DR.

KEN DYE CALLED HE'S A LEADING EXPERT NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL RENOWN AS SPEAKER IN THIS SPACE AND REALLY PUT IN PERSPECTIVE OF THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE HERE, NOT JUST IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, BUT ACROSS FLORIDA AS A WHOLE HOUSE, JUST GO INTO EFFECT INDIVIDUALS.

I MEAN, LET'S TAKE IT DOWN TO THE THE PEOPLE LEVEL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS IT GOING TO BE PROGRAMS ARE GOING TO BE INDIVIDUAL HELP.

WE'RE JUST ALL THE ABOVE.

REALLY.

I THINK WHAT WE SEE HERE IS, YOU KNOW, WE LET ME JUST PUT IT IN WHAT IS LIFE SPAN VERSUS HEALTH SPAN?

SO, YOU KNOW, THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF LIFE SPAN.

>> SO IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT, YOU KNOW, POST-COVID TO ABOUT 78 AND A HALF YEARS.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE HEALTH SPAN WHERE YOU'RE FREE OF CHRONIC DISEASE ISSUES TO ABOUT 66.2 YEARS.

SO YOU HAVE ABOUT OF 12 AND A HALF YEAR DECLINE OF YOUR HEALTH SPAN TO YOUR TO YOUR LIFE SPAN.

SO WHAT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IS TO SHRINK THAT GAP.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT TO MAKE REMAIN LIFESPAN.

ACTUALLY LIFESPAN IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND IN FLORIDA TO ABOUT 80 ALMOST 82 YEARS OF AGE.

AND SO TO YOUR POINT IS A PROGRAMMING.

YES, IS IT, YOU KNOW, JUST LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS?

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT I DO WANT TO REMISS MONEY AND THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE EARLY ON.

IT'S THE EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, THE ABILITY TO SEEK HEALTH CARE TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES IS REALLY CRUCIAL.

SO IT'S REALLY A LIFESPAN MODEL THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.

AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF OUR PARTNERS HERE, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, BE ON LOCATION WHERE EXTEND THEY LIFESPANS.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

ONE OF THE TAKEAWAYS THAT THAT YOU OBSERVE FROM?

ABSOLUTELY THE FIRST PIECES.

OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE AND THRIVE AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU DON'T WANT THAT SLOW IN TERMS OF YOUR LIFE SPAN.

BUT SECONDLY, IT'S A REDUCTION OF OF COST IN TERMS OF OUR HEALTH SYSTEM.

YOU KNOW, NATIONALLY, THE UNITED STATES SPENDS MORE DOLLARS PER CAPITA, BUT HAS SOME OF THE WORST HEALTH OUTCOMES.

SO BY FOCUSING ON THE HEALTH SPAN, WE WILL BE ABLE TO HOPEFULLY REDUCE SOME OF THOSE HEALTH CARE COSTS.

LONG-TERM, CHRONIC ISSUES AND HAVE PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THEIR ENTIRE LIFE WHILE WHILE HERE YET.

>> NO, WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU?

DEAN FELTON IN YOUR YARD.

IF YOU SUCCEED WITH THIS PROGRAM AND I'M WOULD BECOME A LEADER IN SUSTAINING QUALITY OF LIFE HERE.

WELL, AS I THINK THE BIG PART IS, I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE A NORTH STAR ON THIS.

>> WE HAVE A BOLD, BOLD GOAL TO ENHANCE THE HEALTH SPAN BY 7 YEARS BY 2040.

>> SO CURRENTLY THERE'S ABOUT IN THE 13 YEAR GAP HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

SO IF WE CAN ALMOST OVER BY REDUCE THAT BY MORE THAN HALF, THAT WOULD BE SUCCESS.

IT'S GONNA TAKE ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.

YOU KNOW, I'M ONE SMALL PIECE OF THIS AFTER ISSUES.

ONE PIECE OF THIS, BUT IT'S REALLY A MOVEMENT WITHIN THE AREA TO BECOME AN EXAMPLE OR WHEN WHEN INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SEES US AND I'M SOUTHWEST FOR THE BEST COMMUNITY AND REALLY SEE HOW WE ARE.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR HEALTH SPAN WILL BE WILL BE A WIN FOR ALL OF US.

>> IT'S FANTASTIC.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH LIKE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> TEXTING AND DRIVING A DANGEROUS MIX AND GETTING WORSE IN FLORIDA, FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL TROOPER SAY DISTRACTED DRIVING IS A HUGE PROBLEM IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MADE WORSE WITH OUR BOOMING POPULATION TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND MORE DRIVERS FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD.

WE TOOK A RIDE WITH FHP TO SEE HOW THEY ARE CRACKING DOWN ON DANGEROUS AND DISTRACTED DRIVERS.

>> IT'S GO TIME FOR TROOPER DAVID BLAKE IN FORT MYERS, THE 6 YEAR VETERAN OF THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS WHEN HE GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL ON DUTY EACH DAY.

>> HIS FOCUS IS ON DRIVERS WHO ARE NOT >> SO WE'RE GOING TO DO IS JUST KIND OF SLOWLY PASSING CARS.

AND WHILE WE'RE PAST AND TAKE A LOOK AT ANN'S >> SEAT BELTS, EYES HERE, EVERYBODY TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO BE.

DO.

>> WE RIDE ALONG WITH TROOPER BLAKE AS HE STARTS HIS TENT HOUR SHIFT WITHIN MINUTES OF JUMPING ON.

I-75 YEAR.

BLAKE PULLS OVER THE FIRST DRIVER OF THE DAY.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE GETTING A TICKET, OK?

IT'S GOING TO BE FROM THE TEXTING WHILE DRIVING STATUE TO BE $109 FINE.

JUST A FIRST OFFENSE TICKET FOR TEXTING WHILE DRIVING.

AND THEN.

AND WE'LL LET A FRIEND.

>> THE WOMAN TAKES HER TICKET HAS NO QUESTIONS FOR THE TROOPER AND DRIVES OFF.

>> ON THE NEXT SHORTLY AFTER BLAKE PULLS UP ON ANOTHER DRIVER.

>> CAUGHT LOOKING DOWN AT HIS PHONE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE.

>> WHAT WE'RE DOING?

>> IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING ON EVERY TEXAN, SOMEBODY OR DO YOU THINK?

>> WITHIN AN HOUR OF RIDING ALONG INTERSTATE 75.

3 DISTRACTED DRIVERS RECEIVE TICKETS.

>> WE'RE OVER.

SHE SAID THAT SHE GOT A TEXT FROM HER DOCTOR.

SO SHE WAS REPLYING TO HER DOCTOR.

BUT YOU USING THE TEXT TO SPEECH BUT EVEN HERSELF ADMITTED THAT YOU HAVE TO OPEN THE TEXT APP.

YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE MESSAGE.

YOU GOT TO PRESS THE TEXAS BEACH BUTTON.

ALL THAT IS MANIPULATING YOURSELF ON YOUR OWN HIM.

IT CAN BE >> BLAKE SAYS HE'LL OFTEN RIGHT BETWEEN.

25 AND 40 TICKETS PER SHIFT AVERAGING ABOUT 500 TICKETS PER MONTH.

>> SO RIGHT NOW, THE CURRENT LAW INVOLVES MANIPULATING ENTERING CHARACTERS AND STUFF LIKE THAT THROUGH TEXT MESSAGES OR EMAILS, TEXT MESSAGES, MANIPULATING YOUR PHONE WITH YOUR HAND WHILE DRIVING.

THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS.

IF YOU'RE LIKE USING NAVIGATION AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

BUT IF YOU'RE USING NAVIGATION IS YOUR PHONE SHOULD JUST BE THERE.

YOU REALLY SHOULD BE CLICK LACKING ON IT.

REGARDLESS.

THERE'S SOME OTHER LAWS THAT WE CAN ALSO USE TO HELP CURB SOME DISTRACTED DRIVING LIKE TELEVISION.

IF YOU HAVE DRIVER, THERE'S ACTUALLY A LOT ABOUT IF THERE IS A TELEVISION BROADCAST, SOME KIND OF VIDEO BEING BROADCAST WATCHED BY THAT DRIVER.

THAT'S ANOTHER TOOL IN OUR TOOL BELT TO STOP DISTRACTED DRIVERS.

SO I'VE SEEN IT BEFORE WHERE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING ON THE ROAD FACETIME AND THEIR FRIENDS AND STUFF LIKE THAT CHAT WITH THEM.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING PEOPLE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHERE THEY HAD THEIR PHONE PROPPED UP WATCHING A MOVIE WILL BE WATCHING STAR WARS OR SOMETHING DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.

>> THE COST FOR DRIVERS WHO GET CAUGHT.

>> AND NOW SHE GOT 198.

>> PLUS, THE RISK OF HIGHER CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND EVEN POINTS ON THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSES.

BUT FOR HUNDREDS OF OTHERS IN FLORIDA EVERY YEAR, DISTRACTED DRIVING COSTS THEIR LIVES AND THE WORST PART IS SEEING FAMILY MEMBERS ARE.

>> HAVING TO CALL THEM LATER.

CONTACT THEM.

WE HAVE TO MAKE NEXT OF KIN NOTIFICATIONS.

LET THEM KNOW THAT FAMILY MEMBERS DIED AND VERY GRUESOME WAY.

UNFORTUNATELY.

>> FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER MATTHEW GARCIA SAYS AS OUR POPULATION AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION INCREASES.

>> SO JUST DISTRACTED DRIVING.

SO LET'S DO BETTER AS A STATE AS >> COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND BE MORE RESPONSIBLE ON THE ROADWAYS BECAUSE OF THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

LIVES AT STAKE.

I KNOW IT'S EASY.

IT'S SOMETHING WE JUMP IN THE CAR AND DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.

BUT AFTER LIVING THROUGH IT AND SEEING THESE PRETTY GRUESOME CRASHES EVERY SINGLE DAY, SLOW DOWN, PAY ATTENTION.

AND LET'S ALL ARRIVAL ON.

>> TROOPER BLAKE HOPES EACH TICKET GIVEN A TANGIBLE REMINDER THAT COULD RESULT IN A LIFE SAVED DOWN THE ROAD.

APRIL KICK-OFF DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH, FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL AND PARTNERS ARE REMINDING DRIVERS TO PUT DOWN THE PHONE AND FOCUS ON THE ROAD.

TROOPERS SAY DISTRACTED DRIVING CAUSED ALMOST 53,000 CRASHES IN FLORIDA LAST YEAR ALONE, HANDS FREE, FLORIDA AIMS TO MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO HOLD THE DEVICE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THIS EFFORT IS MELISSA HAMRICK OF HANDS FREE, FLORIDA, MELISSA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY FROM TALLAHASSEE.

>> YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, JENNIFER.

TRULY A PLEASURE.

>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IS HANDS FREE, FLORIDA WHO MAKES THIS GROUP OFTEN?

WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?

>> CERTAINLY HEADS FOR FLORIDA IS A NETWORK OF CONCERNED CITIZENS ALL BASED IN FLORIDA WERE COMPRISED OF INJURY PREVENTION SPECIALIST PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS AND THEN OF COURSE, CONCERNED CITIZENS ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP BRING AWARENESS TO THIS IMPORTANT CAUSE.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, HELP CHANGE THE LAW TO MAKE TEXTING AND DRIVING OR ANY PHONE USE HANDS FREE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> THE FLORIDA ALREADY BANS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING.

BUT YOUR GROUP SAYS THIS LAW DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU'RE HOPING WITH A CHANGE IN THE LAW?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

SO THE CURRENT LAW IS ESSENTIALLY UNENFORCEABLE.

SO IN CURRENT STATUTE, IT MAKES ILLEGAL TEXTING AND DRIVING.

BUT REALLY IT UNLESS YOU HAVE CAUSED EITHER GROSS PROPERTY DAMAGE, FATALITY OR SERIOUS INJURY, THERE'S NO WAY TO PROVE THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY TEXTING AND DRIVING WITHOUT LOOKING AT YOUR DEVICE.

AND SO LAW ENFORCEMENT, OF COURSE, IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT FOR EVERY CRASH OR EVERY TICKET.

SO AS A RESULT, IT'S BECOME A VERY UNENFORCEABLE ISSUE BY MAKING THE LAW HANDS FREE LAW.

IT WOULD ESSENTIALLY MAKE IT ILLEGAL SIMPLY TO HAVE THE DEVICE IN YOUR HAND, THAT ALONE REMOVES ANY BACK AND FORTH.

IT REMOVES US HAVING TO SAY WHAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY DOING ON YOUR PHONE.

BUT RATHER JUST PUTS THE FOCUS AND THE ATTENTION ON THE FACT THAT YOU WERE NOT PAYING ATTENTION, WHICH IS REALLY WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

>> NOW, HOW DOES HANDS FREE MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE ACTUAL NUMBERS?

I HAD READ THAT OHIO HAD SOME STATS THAT REALLY GAVE SOME SUPPORT TO WHAT YOU GUYS ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IN FLORIDA.

ABSOLUTELY.

SO.

>> OHIO PASSED A LAW 2023.

AND SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THAT LAW, THEY'VE SEEN A YEAR OVER HERE, 10% DECLINE AND THEIR OVERALL TRAFFIC CRASHES AND THEN IN FATALITIES ALONE, 3% WE KNOW THAT THIS LAW WORKS.

WE KNOW THAT IF THEY'RE INFORCEMENT IS HAPPENING, THAT EDUCATION CAN ALSO TAKE PLACE.

BUT YOU HAVE BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN.

YOU HAVE THE EDUCATION AND THEN THE CONSEQUENCE OF ENFORCEMENT HELPING CHANGE BEHAVIOR AND BRING THESE NUMBERS DOWN.

>> WOULD THERE BE STRICTER PENALTIES IF THIS MEASURE THAT YOU GUYS ARE WORKING ON WOULD GET PASSED?

>> SO THE CURRENT STATUTE DOES NOT INCREASE THE OVERALL PENALTY.

IT REALLY JUST MAKES IT AND FORCIBLE.

AND SO IT PUTS THE POWER BACK INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO ACTUALLY WRITE THE TICKET THAT CREATES THAT INFRACTION OR THAT ABILITY TO PENALIZE.

SO WE'VE REALLY BEEN CONSCIOUS AND ATTENTIVE TO THE FACT THAT WE DON'T WANT THIS TO BECOME AN ANYWHERE PROFILING ISSUE EITHER.

SO THERE ARE SPECIAL PROVISIONS WITHIN THE LAW THAT REQUIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TRACK THE OVERALL DEMOGRAPHICS OF THOSE THAT THEY'RE PULLING OVER TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO DISPARITY OR EQUITY.

>> NOW, CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE ACTUAL PETITION?

I KNOW YOU ARE TRYING TO GET SIGNATURES AND GAIN SUPPORT FOR THIS ONLINE.

HOW CAN PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN THIS AND PROMOTE THIS CAUSE?

SURE.

SO.

>> SIMPLY AND MOST EASILY VISIT OUR WEBSITE HANDSFREE FLORIDA DOT ORG.

YOU CAN JOIN OUR CAUSE.

YOU CAN BECOME A MEMBER OF THE COALITION.

WE'RE REALLY WORKING TO BUILD A GRASSROOTS FOCUS.

SO IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT OUR LEGISLATORS UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS WANT THIS.

WE DID DO A RECENT POLL OF OVER 1000 FLORIDIANS AND RESOUNDINGLY.

91% OPPOSED AGREED UTILIZING ARE UTILIZING THE DEVICE WHILE DRIVING INCREASED THEIR CRASH RISK OVER 83% OF THOSE CONSTITUENTS SURVEYED BELIEVE THAT HANDS FREE LAW WOULD BE VALUABLE ARE BENEFICIAL TO INCREASING SAFETY EFFORTS.

SO WE KNOW WE KNOW THAT THE CONSTITUENTS WANT THIS.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF THEIR VOICE BEING HEARD BY LEGISLATORS.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DISTRACTED DRIVING AND ALSO YOUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE THAT THAT THIS REALLY THESE NUMBERS REALLY START TO COME DOWN.

ABSOLUTELY.

SO.

>> YOU KNOW, IF I WERE TO GIVE ONE TAKEAWAY IS THAT WE ALL HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THIS OUTCOME.

EVERYONE ON THE ROAD WHEN YOU GET INTO THAT CAR REALLY JUST TAKING A MOMENT TO JUST SET THAT UPS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

PULL OVER TO TAKE THAT CALL.

YOU KNOW, ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO DO THE SAME OR EVEN JUST SPEAKING UP.

IF YOU'RE A PASSENGER IN A VEHICLE AND YOU FEEL UNSAFE, THESE ARE ALL VERY EASY THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE GETS HOME ALIVE AND SAFE WAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR STORY TODAY AND ALSO ENCOURAGING THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE PUBLIC IN HELPING TO RESOLVE ITS REALLY A GROWING CRISIS ON THE ROADWAYS TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MY PLEASURE, JENNIFER.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING >> COMING UP ALONG THIS BEACH AND LEADING APPEAR KEN WILLS ALL ACROSS THE SAND.

ALL PUT OUT FOR A REASON AND THE CASE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION.

A LOT OF MILK PARK BECAME A PIECE OF ART HAS OVER 1000 PINWHEELS WERE PLACED IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.

WGCUS CARY BARBOR VISITED THE PIN WHEELS AT THE PIER EVENT TO LEARN HOW IT PROTECTS CHILDREN IN COLLIER COUNTY.

>> A GROUP OF PEOPLE ARE PUSHING THE STEMS OF HUNDREDS OF PINWHEELS INTO THE SAND ON THIS APRIL DAY.

THE COOL GO FREEZE SETS THE PEDALS OF METALLIC BLUE LIGHT AND SILVER WHIRLING.

THE TEAM IS CREATING A DESIGN MEANT TO STOP CURIOUS, BEACH-GOERS AND INTRODUCE THEM TO THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OR C A C AND CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.

THE EVENT IS KNOWN AS PINWHEELS AT THE PIER.

>> AT CHILDREN'S APPS, THE CENTER WE WORK WITH MOST SERIOUSLY BECAUSE CHILDREN ARE COMMUNITY CEO JACKIE STEVENS SAYS THE CAC WORKS WITH 700 TO 900 CHILDREN A YEAR IN COLLIER COUNTY.

>> IN ADDITION TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, WE PROVIDE QUITE A FEW DIFFERENT SERVICES.

THE >> FORENSIC INTERVIEW, THE FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAM WERE PART OF THE FIRST RESPONSE WINTERS SUSPICION OR AN ALLEGATION OF CHILD ABUSE, SUSPECTED ABUSE.

AND SO EVERYBODY WILL COME TO US.

AND THAT HELPS TO REDUCE ANY FURTHER TRAUMA CHILD MIGHT EXPERIENCE AS A RESULT OF AN INVESTIGATION, BUT ALSO TO FIND OUT, YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS CHILD'S LIFE IS THE CHILD'S SAFE TODAY AND HOW WE KEEP THE CHILD SAFE IN THE FUTURE.

>> ONE THING STEVENS AND HER STAFF WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT CHILD ABUSE CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE, EVEN OF COURSE, IN WEALTHY COMMUNITIES.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE THINKING THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS IS BEAUTIFUL AND NOTHING HAPPENS.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS CHILD ABUSE.

>> OR IT ONLY HAPPENS IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE.

CHILD ABUSE CAN HAPPEN IN ANY WALK OF LIFE.

ANY NEIGHBORHOOD STEVENS ALSO REQUEST THAT IF PEOPLE HEAR A REPORT OF ABUSE FROM A CHILD OR SUSPECT ABUSE THEMSELVES, THEY SHOULD REPORT IT.

YOU CAN REPORT CHILD ABUSE ANONYMOUSLY.

IF YOU WANT TO, IF YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE SO YOU COULD CALL THE FLORIDA CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE.

1, 809, 6 ABUSE.

>> CAC USUALLY CREATES THE ANNUAL PINWHEEL MOSAIC AT THE NAPLES PIER.

BUT WITH THE PEER UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THEY CHOSE LOUDERMILK BEACH.

BRIAN LEE CAC IS DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT CAME UP WITH THIS YEAR'S PINWHEEL DESIGN.

>> IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE CLOUDS AND A SON.

SO KIND OF SIGNIFYING THAT THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD.

>> THE PINWHEEL MOSAIC LASTED AS PLANNED FOR JUST HALF A DAY FOR WCU NEWS.

I'M KERRY BARBARA, NAPLES.

>> COMING UP NEXT WEEK ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS WHEN TO SELL AND WHEN TO HOLD.

WE'LL TALK WITH A LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERT ABOUT NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HOUSING MARKET AND HOW YOU CAN TELL WHEN THE BY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TO MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU.ORG, WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

PLUS, ANY EXTENDED INTERVIEWS.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.