Law enforcement from three agencies will fan out across Kissimmee and Osceola County this week, for a crosswalk crackdown. Dubbed Operation Best Foot Forward, officers and deputies will be enforcing Florida’s driver yield laws at five crosswalks. See our media release below, as well as a list of the crosswalks and why they were chosen.
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Open in new tab Buenaventura Boulevard & Briarwood Drive
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| Pre-enforcement Yield Rate: 12% (April 2019) (12 out of 100 drivers yield for pedestrians in a crosswalk) |
| Tracked since: April 2019 |
Buenaventura Boulevard & Florida Parkway
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| Pre-enforcement Yield Rate: 41% (April 2019) |
| Tracked since: April 2019 |
Why BFF chose these crosswalks: These two crosswalks are both located in the Buena Ventura Lakes area, which has been the subject of numerous speeding complaints to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. These complaints, coupled with the fact that Buenaventura/Briarwood is one of the top-three highest crash intersections in District 2, earned these locations a spot on BFF’s 2019 crosswalk list. With two elementary schools, LYNX bus stops, a public library and community park nearby, there are plenty of reasons for people to be out on foot.
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| Pre-enforcement Yield Rate: 11% (April 2019) |
| Tracked since: February 2019 |
Why BFF chose this crosswalk: The Tupperware SunRail station and several LYNX bus stops are within close walking distance of this crosswalk, which is in one of the top-three highest crash locations in District 4. For people walking, the design of this road creates a dangerous situation. This is a four-lane road with a middle turning lane known as a “suicide lane,” in which pedestrians can be trapped by vehicles passing in either direction, unable to finish crossing the road. While OCSO enforces with Operation BFF, Osceola County planners and engineers work behind the scenes to discuss and identify what low-cost engineering changes could improve safety at this crosswalk location.
Thacker Avenue & Kissimmee Trail
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| Baseline Yield Rate: 17% (March 2018) Pre-enforcement Yield Rate: 26% (Feb 2019) |
| Tracked since: March 2018 |
Why BFF chose this crosswalk: People biking and walking the Kissimmee Trail cross the busy Thacker Avenue at this location. Additionally, this crosswalk is surrounded by neighborhoods, LYNX bus stops and schools. Last year, the Kissimmee Police Department had their work cut out for them, giving out out 107 warnings and 24 citations during Operation BFF at this location. Let’s see if drivers are learning to stop for people in crosswalks.
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| Pre-enforcement driver yield rate: 11% (February 2019) |
| Tracked since: February 2019 |
Why BFF chose this crosswalk: The crosswalk at 311 West Oak Street is in an area with heavy pedestrian traffic, where many people have also complained to the City of Kissimmee about drivers. KPD officers will be reminding drivers that they’re required to stop, educating them on the Florida driver yield law and hopefully causing a ripple effect throughout crosswalks in the area.
