Sheriff’s Office Participates in High Visibility Enforcement Program to Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 

SCSO

 

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the agency again received funding for a High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) initiative for pedestrian and bicycle safety.

 

Sarasota County ranks in the top 25 counties in Florida for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists. To protect the safety of vulnerable road users, the sheriff’s office will conduct HVE details to increase awareness of and compliance with traffic laws that protect the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. Enforcement efforts will focus primarily on education; however, violations may result in warnings or citations.

 

These details will occur from September 1, 2024, through May 9, 2025, focusing on predetermined locations based on statistical crash data. These areas include:

  • Bahia Vista Street from Graber Avenue to Ingram Avenue
  • Tamiami Trail South from Gulf Gate Drive to Upper Elmwood Avenue
  • Midnight Pass Road from Sarasea Circle to Dolphin Bay Way
  • Tamiami Trail South from Pocono Trail East to Palmetto Road West
  • Beneva Road from Tamiami Trail to Sarasota Square Boulevard
  • Tamiami Trail South from West Seminole Drive to Shamrock Drive
  • Clark Road from Gateway Avenue to Beneva Road
  • Tamiami Trail South from Seaboard Avenue to Alligator Drive
  • Bee Ridge Road from Village Green Drive to Riviera Drive
  • Bee Ridge Road from Sawyer Road to Radnor Place

 

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

 

Funding for this initiative is provided through a contract with the University of North Florida and the Institute of Police Technology and Management in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation. The sheriff’s office will receive funds for overtime hours to conduct operations and special training on Florida’s bicycle and pedestrian laws, procedures, and best practices.