To coincide with School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week, the law enforcement agencies within Orange County will be conducting targeted traffic enforcement details in locations that have been identified as having a high rate of pedestrian/bicycle incidents. These details will focus on three specific age groups: elementary age, high school, and young adult/college students.
Earlier in the school year, an Orange School Crossing Guard was killed in the line of duty when a motorist failed to yield the right-of-way as the guard assisted elementary age children in crossing the road. In addition, two School Crossing Guards from the City of Orlando have been struck in hit and run incidents, while on duty. These individuals are tasked with aiding the safe passage of our students to and from school, placing themselves in a roadway with no real protection, and more often than not, very little courtesy by passers-by.
A recent study by the Transportation for America and the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership named Metropolitan Orlando (Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola county) as number one in terms of pedestrian fatalities with a rate of 2.9 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents, despite a very low proportion of residents walking to work, 1.3 percent. Some safety experts have said that, Metro Orlando is more suited for motorists than pedestrians, runners and bicyclists.
The Department of Transportation–Fatality Analysis Reporting System reveals that, in Metropolitan Orlando, 115 pedestrians were hit and killed between 2007-2008.
According to law enforcement agencies, the multi-agency enforcement effort is intended to heighten awareness about the responsibilities of all roadway users. They say that the message is simple: “Safe Routes to School is a vital element within Orange County. Our law enforcement agencies support initiatives to promote safe driving, walking, and cycling to insure the safety of our students and our Crossing Guards.”
Officers from various agencies will be at various locations throughout the County, conducting aggressive enforcement of targeted violations relating to safe routes to school.
For more information about this topic or if you would like additional information with regard to the time and location of enforcement details, please contact:
Contact: Sheryl Bradley, Chair
Cell Phone: 407-949-4631
Email: [email protected]
