High Visibility Enforcement To Improve Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety In West Palm Beach

From City of West Palm Beach:

November 10, 2020

Palm Beach County ranks in the top 25 counties in the state for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists.

In an effort to protect the safety of these most vulnerable road users, the West Palm Beach Police Department will conduct High Visibility Enforcement Details (HVE) during the period of November 16, 2020, and May 31, 2021, in West Palm Beach, along: 45th Street / Okeechobee Blvd., Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., and Broadway. This area is over-represented in traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists.

HVE details are funded through a contract with IPTM and the University of North Florida in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation’s focused initiative to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, raising jaywalking awareness, and safe roads outreach to bicyclists and motorists.

The goal of this enforcement effort is to increase awareness of and compliance with traffic laws that protect the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. Enforcement efforts will focus primarily on education to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. However, violations may result in warnings or citations depending on the circumstances.

Remember:

• Drivers should always obey speed limits, never drive impaired, and always watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Bicyclists should always obey traffic laws, ride in the direction of traffic, and use lights when riding at night.
• Pedestrians should always, cross in crosswalks or at intersections, obey pedestrian signals, and make sure you are visible to drivers when walking at night.

This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.