The Sarasota Police Department is once again implementing a High Visibility Enforcement program to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.  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 High Visibility Enforcement Details (HVE) from now until May 2020 throughout the City of Sarasota with focus on several key roadways including:

• Downtown Region (north border Fruitville Road, south border State Street, east border Links Avenue, west border the Sarasota Bayfront)
• Fruitville Road from Pompano Avenue to Mimosa Drive
• North Washington Boulevard (US 301) from 10^th Street to Myrtle Street
• North Washington Boulevard (US 301) from Mound Street to 10^th Street
• South Tamiami Trail (US 41) from Mound Street to Hansen 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, 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.”

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 at the conclusion of the safety campaign.

###