New Traffic Patrol Focuses On Pedestrian, Bicycle Safety: Police

SARASOTA, FL — The city of Sarasota ranks among the top 25 Florida cities for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries for pedestrians and bicyclists, Sarasota police said in a news release.

To improve pedestrian and bicycle safety citywide, the Sarasota Police Department is reimplementing its high-visibility enforcement program.

The agency will conduct these high-visibility details through May 2022 throughout the city. Focus will be on three high-risk areas based on crash data, including:

• Siesta Drive to Bahia Vista Street in the South Tamiami Trail corridor
• 16th Street to Myrtle Street in the North Washington Boulevard (US 301) corridor
• May Lane to Sylvan Drive in the North Tamiami Trail corridor

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

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

The high-visibility patrols are a partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation’s focused initiative to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. They’re funded through a contract with the University of North Florida.