OBPD participating in program to increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety

The High Visibility Enforcement program is meant to address safety issues within the city, according to a press release.

By Jarleene Almenas
| 1:20 p.m. October 2, 2020

An Ormond Beach Police patrol car. File photo by Anthony Boccio

Ormond Beach Observer
News

The Ormond Beach Police Department will be partnering with the University of North Florida and the Institute of Police Technology and Management and will be participating in a High Visibility Enforcement program to address pedestrian and bicyclist safety issues within the city, a press release announced on Friday, Oct. 2.

The program will address crosswalk safety and violations by pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles, and this will be done through education, warnings and enforcement at locations identified as high risk in Ormond Beach, which has experienced 35 crashes involving pedestrians and vehicles and 23 crashes involving bicyclists and vehicles since January 2019, according to the press release.

The press release adds that the Police Department receives citizen complaints of vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, especially in the area on Granada Boulevard between Orchard Lane and Beach Street. OBPD states Volusia County is among the top 10 counties in Florida with the greatest number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. This program aims to reduce these types of incidents.