From Operation Best Foot Forward
Operation Best Foot Forward crosswalk enforcement has come to a close, but not before helping raise awareness and potentially save lives in the future.
Over the last 48 hours, law enforcement in Orange County, Seminole County, Orlando, Apopka, Casselberry, Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Oakland issued 301 citations and warnings to drivers who failed to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in marked crosswalks, as Florida law requires.
Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, Bike/Walk Central Florida Executive Director Emily Hanna kick-off the city's first Operation Best Foot Forward crosswalk enforcement operation.
Here are the citation/warning totals from each agency:
Total Citations & Warnings
Orlando Police Department: 99
Kissimmee Police Department: 55
Casselberry Police Department: 30
St. Cloud Police Department: 26
Seminole County Sheriff's Office: 25
Orange County Sheriff's Office: 20
Apopka Police Department: 10
Oakland Police Department: 8
Total: 301
Unfortunately officers saw too many close calls again, with drivers coming dangerously close to hitting officers and volunteers at several marked crosswalk locations. The majority of drivers who were pulled over told officers and deputies that they had no idea they were breaking the law. It is particularly concerning given that each of these crosswalks is near a local school.
Most crashes involving drivers striking people walking across the street are preventable. Driver and pedestrian education is critical to saving lives and being safe on the streets. That's why the Best Foot Forward Pedestrian Safety Program launched in 2012, with high-visibility crosswalk enforcements like these to raise awareness and make our streets safer for everyone.
Thank you to the Apopka Police Department for doing your part to help keep our streets and pedestrians safe, with a special watch on school crosswalks as students return to school in a couple weeks.
