UPDATE - May 20, 2019:

The Sarasota Police Department has concluded the High Visibility Enforcement grant but we'll continue to remain vigilant in protecting those who drive walk or ride through the City of Sarasota.

SARASOTA, FL  – September 4, 2018   – 3 p.m.

The Sarasota Police Department has received a grant for a High Visibility Enforcement program for pedestrian and bicycle safety.  The City of Sarasota ranks in the top 25 counties in the state of Florida for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists.

In an effort to protect the safety of the most vulnerable road users, the Sarasota Police Department will be conducting High Visibility Enforcement Details (HVE) from now until May 2019 throughout the City of Sarasota with focus on several key roadways including:

• N. Tamiami Trail (SR 45) from Mound Street to University Parkway
• Main Street from N. Tamiami Trail (SR 45) to N. Washington Blvd (SR 683)
• Fruitville Road from N. Tamiami Trail (SR 45) to Beneva Road
• N. Washington Blvd (SR 683) from Main Street to Myrtle Street

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, Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM) in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation’s focused initiative to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. 

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

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

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