Sarasota Police aim to improve pedestrian safety with new traffic program
The Sarasota Police Department announced on Thursday that it will be conducting a high-visibility program to protect pedestrians and bicyclists.
In addition to the regular duties of the Sarasota Police Department Traffic Unit, the department will run the program from Thursday to May throughout the city of Sarasota. The goal of the enforcement is to create increased awareness of traffic laws to protect pedestrians and cyclists, according to a press release from the police department.
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Patrols are funded by a contract with the University of North Florida in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation. The program will focus on education for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, but traffic violations may result in warnings or citations, according to a press release from the police department.
Based on crash data involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles, the program will focus on North Washington Boulevard from 12th Street to 24th Street, North Miami Trail from Panama Drive to Gary Drive, and Fruitville Road from Beneva Road to Tarpon Avenue.
“Safety doesn’t happen by accident," Jason Frank, Sarasota Police Department Traffic Unit Officer, said in a written statement. "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 No. 1 priority."
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Police focusing on pedestrian safety with new traffic program
