High Visibility Enforcement Continues in the City of Sarasota to Improve Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety

The Sarasota Police Department is continuing to implement a High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) program to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout the city of Sarasota.

Since launching the program in August 2020, the Sarasota Police Department has dedicated more than 210 hours to HVE.  As of February 3, 2021, officers have contacted 613 people.

The City of Sarasota ranks in the top 25 cities in the state of Florida for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists.  To protect the safety of the most vulnerable road users, the Sarasota Police Department will be conducting HVE through May 2021 in the city of Sarasota with a focus on several key roadways including:

• Fruitville Road
• North Tamiami Trail
• South Tamiami Trail
• US 301 / North Washington Boulevard

The roadways in the City of Sarasota that were chosen were selected based on crash data involving both pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles.  HVE details are funded through a contract with the University of North Florida, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation’s focused initiative to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The goal of the enforcement effort is to increase awareness of and compliance with traffic laws that protect the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.  Enforcement efforts will focus primarily on education to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.  However, violations may result in warnings or citations depending on the circumstances.

“The safety of our residents and visitors in the city of Sarasota is our number one priority.  We want every pedestrian, bicyclist, and driver to understand and know the rules of the road,” said Officer Jason Frank, Sarasota Police Department Traffic Unit.  “Safety doesn’t happen by accident.”

Remember:

• Drivers, obey speed limits, never drive impaired, and always watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Bicyclists, obey traffic laws, ride in the direction of traffic, and use lights when riding at night.
• Pedestrians, cross in crosswalks or at intersections, obey pedestrian signals, and make sure you are visible to drivers when walking at night.

All contacts with citizens will be documented and results will be sent to the Florida Department of Transportation for evaluation after the safety campaign.