Today, the Kissimmee Police Department and the Best Foot Forward for Pedestrian Safety Program are teaming up for Operation Best Foot Forward, a high-visibility safety enforcement effort to educate drivers and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
The operation will take place at two locations in Kissimmee:
- W. Oak St. & N. Emory Ave. from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
- W. Columbia Ave. at Central Avenue Elementary from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
During the operation, plainclothes officers will cross marked crosswalks while giving drivers adequate time to yield. Drivers who fail to stop, as required by Florida law, will face a minimum $164 fine and three points on their driver’s license.
Administered by Bike/Walk Central Florida, the Best Foot Forward program is a behavior-driven initiative aiming to improve road safety by encouraging drivers to yield for pedestrians at marked crosswalks. It combines education, enforcement, and engineering to make streets safer for everyone.
Since its launch in 2012, Best Foot Forward has expanded to six Central Florida counties and now works with over 40 regional partners. The program has seen remarkable success, increasing driver compliance at crosswalks from 17% to more than 50% on lower-speed roads (35 mph or below) and from 2% to 45% on higher-speed roads (40 mph or above).
Pedestrian and cyclist safety is a growing concern in Florida, a state often ranked as one of the most dangerous for pedestrians. Programs like Best Foot Forward are crucial in reversing this trend and fostering a culture of safety and mutual respect on the roads.
Stay tuned for updates on today’s operation and remember to always yield for pedestrians at marked crosswalks – it’s the law and it saves lives.
