With pedestrian fatalities rising nationwide, the urgent need for safer roadways has never been more…
OPD and OCSO Safety Alert: Look out for Pedestrians
Orlando Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office Conduct a Series of Pedestrian Crosswalk Enforcement Actions in October
With Halloween right around the corner, Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) and Orlando Police Department (OPD) will be deployed throughout county to enforce pedestrian traffic laws for three days, starting Tuesday, October 15.
Operation Best Foot Forward will focus on motorists who are failing to yield to pedestrians in unsignalized marked crosswalks. Itinvolves an off-duty, undercover police officer posing as a pedestrian crossing at a crosswalk. If oncoming drivers don’t stop for the pedestrian who is inside the crosswalk – as required by law – the vehicle will be pulled over by a police spotter further down the street. The driver may be issued a warning or a $164 ticket and three (3) points on their license.
Media is invited to the high visibility enforcement actions and shall have the opportunity to speak to drivers, officers and pedestrians. According to state law, all drivers must yield to a pedestrian if they are in a marked crosswalk even if crosswalk traffic signals are not present.
Crosswalk Enforcement Schedule:
Tuesday, October 15
- I-4 WB off ramp to Colonial Drive, 7:45 – 8:45 a.m., OPD
Wednesday, October 16
- Virginia Drive and Urban Trail Crossing 9:30 – 10:30 am OPD
- W. Oak Ridge Rd & S. Texas Ave. 10:30 – 11:30 am OCSO
- International Drive & Austrian Court 10:30 – 11:30 am OCSO
- North Pine Hills Road North of North Lane 10:30 – 11:30 am OCSO
- Woodbury Rd. & Mallory Cir. 10:30 – 11:30 am OCSO
Thursday, October 17
- Lake Underhill and Palmer St. 7:45 – 8:45 am OPD
- Lake Baldwin and Almond Drive 9:30 – 10:30 am OPD
Operation Best Foot Forward Background:
This is the fifth high visibility pedestrian enforcement action since the launch of Best Foot Forward in May 2012. Since then, OPD and OCSO have issued more than 1,300 tickets and given over 3,800 warnings to drivers for failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Enforcement is critical in boosting yield rates because vehicles-versus-pedestrian culture seems to flourish when unchecked.
OPD and OCSO enforcement details, along with engineering improvements and education, are part of Best Foot Forward for pedestrian safety efforts to reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths by half in five years. By employing this “Triple E” approach of engineering, education and enforcement, yield rates have jumped from 12% to 48% on roads 35mph and less. It is a start but we have a long way to go to move Metro Orlando off the list as the most dangerous pedestrian metro of the past decade.
On-Site Contact: Amanda Day at 407-716-8221. Joan Carragher (508) 415-3351.
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