Tampa Police Begin New Traffic Safety Initative To Reduce Crashes

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Police Department is one of several law enforcement agencies in the Tampa Bay Area joining a statewide campaign to keep pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists safe.

The goal is to reduce the number of serious injury and fatality traffic crashes on roadways in the city of Tampa. Working in partnership with the Institute for Police Technology and Management and the University of North Florida, extra officers will patrol Tampa's roadways specifically to educate citizens about Florida traffic laws concerning the movement of pedestrians and bicyclists.

Officers will interact with roadway users by observing violations and conducting direct educational outreach to violators in an effort to improve awareness of traffic laws. These efforts will specifically target violations involving pedestrian and bicycle safety and will also include a focus on a vehicle driver's responsibility for the safe movement of pedestrians and bicyclists along and adjacent to roadways.

The campaign is primarily focused on education and bringing residents into compliance with existing traffic laws concerning pedestrian and bicycle safety.

"The department's ultimate goal is to reduce the total number crashes by improving awareness of traffic laws with motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians alike," Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said. "This traffic initiative also complements Tampa's Vision Zero objective to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe mobility for all roadway users."

Education and enforcement efforts will be conducted along the following roadways:

• Hillsborough Avenue
• Busch Boulevard
• Nebraska Avenue
• Fowler Avenue
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
• Downtown Tampa

This traffic safety initiative is part of the Florida Department of Transportation's "Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow" campaign. The FDOT, in cooperation with Institute of Police Technology and Management, awarded the Tampa Police Department a contract to provide an increased police presence in high-traffic areas in an effort to remind all roadway users to pay attention and follow the rules of the road. This program will run through May 2021.

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