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Best Foot Forward provides measured results. Keyword: Measured.

The Best Foot Forward coalition laid out a set of objectives and strategic action steps to create a program that would scientifically measure one behavior change – more drivers yield or stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks, as Florida law requires.

Once defined, the Best Foot Forward Program was built in three phases, starting with forming a strong coalition of Best Foot Forward champions.

Phase 1: Forming a Coalition

• Seek resolution of support from each coalition member – such as cities, counties, local law enforcement agencies, police chief associations, metroplanning organizations, transit agencies, public schools, health departments and non-profits.
• Recruit Best Foot Forward champions from key stakeholder groups, including elected officials, traffic planners, law enforcement agencies, public transit organizations, and groups focused on tourism, trauma, education and advocacy to be ambassadors – write opinion pieces, website content and newsletter articles; serve as a media spokesperson; speak publicly; host events; actively represent Best Foot Forward in their communities.
• Schedule and commit to monthly face-to-face meetings with the coalition staff (steering committee).
• Develop a branded, grassroots campaign to encourage and persuade individuals to choose to do the right thing and stop for people crossing the street using crosswalks.
• Stand-out in a sea of safety slogans with the attention-grabbing campaign name: Best Foot Forward. It’s positive, short and grabs attention.
• Bring the same concerted effort and resources that propelled seat belt usage to 85% compliance. (Investment of time and money.)

Phase 2: Building the Program

• Identify five to fifteen marked crosswalks to enforce, track and measure driver yielding behavior. Read more about how Best Foot Forward chooses crosswalks.
• Calculate the number of drivers yielding to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk to determine baseline data.
• Determine engineering changes needed at observed crosswalks.

Phase 3: Implementing the Program

• Conduct enforcement training that follows the High Visibility Enforcement on Driver Compliance with Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws, watch roll call videos and conduct a training operation.
• “Bring messaging home” for residents of Orlando/Orange County by partnering with existing neighborhood safety organizations, homeowner associations and local schools.
• Leverage emerging media to extend the brand, establish dialogue and build goodwill in the community.
• Issue warnings at the observed crosswalks a minimum of five times prior to the first High Visibility Enforcement; Give all drivers stopped for a violation a flyer about the driver yield law.
• Invite media to enforcement operations, where law enforcement gives warnings to drivers.
• Leverage all media across multiple platforms, ensure that all Best Foot Forward coalition partners are interviewed and/or cited in media.
• Produce content for website, social media and newsletters to celebrate Best Foot Forward coalition partners’ role and commitment to getting more drivers to comply with Florida’s right-of-way law.
• Measure the results.

Methodology

Adopted from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “High-Visibility Enforcement on Driver Compliance with Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws,” the “4-Year Follow-Up,” and NHTSA’s “Countermeasures That Work.” Read more about our methodology.