This petition is driven by a deeply personal concern. Too many lives have been lost due to car accidents that end in retention ponds or other bodies of water accessible from highways and main roads. The potential for such tragedies is alarmingly high, and the consequences are devastating.

In Florida alone, there are thousands of retention ponds designed to manage stormwater runoff. These bodies of water, while necessary for environmental reasons, pose a significant risk if not properly safeguarded. When vehicles veer off the road due to an accident or loss of control, these ponds can become watery graves.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2004 and 2017 nearly 10% of all motor vehicle drowning deaths occurred in Florida. This statistic underscores the urgency with which we need to address this issue.

We propose that all retention ponds and any bodies of water accessible by highways or main roads be required by law to have fencing or guard rails installed around them as a safety measure. Such precautions could significantly reduce the number of fatalities resulting from vehicles ending up in these waters following accidents.

The cost may be substantial but can we really put a price on human life? We urge lawmakers in Florida to prioritize this issue and enact legislation that will protect its residents from such preventable tragedies.

Please sign this petition if you believe that every life matters and agree with our call for improved safety measures around our state's bodies of water.