The Palm Springs Police Department is once again participating in the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) High Visibility Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Enforcement Campaign. The focus of this campaign is to increase awareness and provide education to the motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians using our roadways. Our participation in the most recent campaign, over this past summer, was extremely successful in that officers made contact with over 400 drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists in an effort to educate, change behaviors and raise awareness.
Beginning this week, officers will operate along six corridors within the village which were identified as high traffic, high pedestrian areas. Officers will employ several methods of enforcement in order to identify risky behaviors with regard to pedestrian and bicycle travel. The first phase will consist of operations along the corridors geared toward awareness, providing educational materials and the issuance of warnings. In second phase officers will begin issuing citations to drivers/pedestrians and bike riders, when appropriate.
Though there are many behaviors associated with bicycle/pedestrian violations, crashes and fatalities, the most common areas of concern are:
•Speeding (5 MPH can make the difference between types of injuries)
•Failure to stop for red lights or stop signs
•Failure to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists
•Distracted driving
•Blocking crosswalks
These behaviors present a clear danger to our traveling public. Our efforts have been designed and implemented to change these behaviors and make our roadways safer for everyone. “The number one goal is to change behaviors, thereby saving lives and reducing injuries. Our traffic safety program is comprehensive and we will continue to try new ways to reach the over 200,000 drivers utilizing our roadways. The message is clear: Slow down. Be respectful of others sharing the roadways and always wear your seatbelt.
If you are interested in obtaining a tri-fold handout of the relevant traffic laws please visit the Palm Springs Police Department.
Authority: Edgar Morley
Public Information Office
561.304.4814
EMorley@vpsfl.org