The Leesburg Police Department tested Lake County residents’ knowledge of road rules on Aug. 27 during a traffic trivia event at the Leesburg Public Library.
Lt. Shannon Walsh said the goal of Rules of the Road: Traffic Safety Trivia was to help residents brush up on general traffic laws and learn how laws have changed over the years. She said it was the first time the department hosted such an event.
“Most of us first learned how to drive when we were 16,” Walsh said. “The Florida state statutes have changed, so this offers a chance for people to get a refresher and is an opportunity to educate the public before writing a citation.”
Toni Zeigler, of Tavares, was one of about 15 attendees looking to test their knowledge and ask questions about things they experience on the road.
“I’m a senior, so I need to know more about traffic laws,” Zeigler said. “I don’t have to renew my drivers license for the next few years, but because the laws are always changing, I want to be informed.”
The trivia game used Kahoot!, an online interactive quiz with multiple choice and true or false answers. During the hourlong competition, participants competed for prizes, including a paper shredder for first place, a laptop desk stand for second and a portable filing system for third.
Starting with the basics, Walsh clarified a valid drivers license and registration is required for operating a low-speed vehicle on a public road and that anyone driving on a public roadway is required to have vehicle insurance. She also clarified that golf carts can be operated on roadways within the limits a city or town allows and in accordance with the state statutes.
The majority of participants who were asked what to do if involved in a minor crash with no injuries, answered correctly: move off the road and request law enforcement.
Walsh asked several questions focusing on how drivers should react to an approaching emergency vehicle. She said drivers should pull over to the closest curb and come to a compete stop when they see emergency lights flashing behind them. She then asked what a driver should do when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle if you can’t move over. The answer: stop and wait to move over.
Ensuring participants knew the consequences of driving under the influence, Walsh asked what percentage of fatal crashes involve alcohol — 30% — and when can a person be arrested for a DUI — when their blood alcohol level is above .08 or they appear impaired.
Carol and Chris Mullins, of the Village of Fenney, stayed in the top five contestants throughout the game before winning first place.
“We are from Kentucky and moved to Florida about eight years ago,” Carol said. “We came to get a refresher and we also learned a lot of things today. I think they should do this again because it was excellent.”
Nan Rosentahl, of Leesburg, said she learned a lot while having a good time.
“I’m president of our HOA and the drivers in our community need something like this,” she said. “We are mostly seniors and use golf carts, but I would bring something like this back to them.”
Leesburg Police Department service aides Arianna Pletka and Denys Neff assisted Walsh to ensure the event went smoothly, with the pair also participating in the trivia.
Pletka said the event’s turnout was a great.
“This is a very valuable tool for the community to play a fun game while learning and being able to ask us questions,” she said.
Robert Voyles, Leesburg Public Library program coordinator, placed third in the contest. He said the program was a great opportunity for lifelong learning.
“With the changing laws and the increase in traffic patterns in recent years, this event is a good opportunity for people to refresh their traffic knowledge,” he said. “We always look for an opportunity to work with the local police department. They are a great resource to the community.”
For more information about events at the Leesburg Public Library, visit mylakelibrary.org.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
