KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Law enforcement agencies across Central Florida are teaming up to protect trail users as the school year wraps up and summer vacations begin.
According to Operation Best Foot Forward, the largest crosswalk enforcement in Central Florida history is happening Tuesday and Wednesday.
The event focused on 15 locations in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.
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Kissimmee Mayor Olga Gonzalez took part in the crackdown at a trail Crossing at 898 N. Hoagland Blvd.
“It’s scary. You have to pay attention each side whether there’s a car coming or going,” Gonzalez said. “This is what we’re preventing. Accidents (and) somebody to get hit.”
Organizers said trail crossings were a focus of the enforcement because more people are expected to be seen biking and walking on local trails in the coming weeks.
“Since COVID began, we have way more people out on the trails and we just want to bring awareness to safety at crosswalks, on major roads and the trails,” Kissimmee Public Safety Officer Samantha Scarp said.
At the trail crossing on Hoagland Boulevard, a signal was installed earlier this year to help drivers yield more often for pedestrians.
“In December it was a 15% yield rate, where after the signs went up, three months later in March, it was a 56% yield rate,” Scarp said.
Drivers who didn’t yield for pedestrians during the enforcement were either given a warning or a $164 citation.
“It’s tough to learn with a ticket, but guess what? Sometimes we learn the hard way,” Gonzalez said.
For details about future crosswalk enforcement events, click here.