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People On Foot

Fact Sheet: Best Foot Forward for Pedestrian Safety

on February 4, 2014 at 3:39 am

FACT SHEET

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Amanda Day (407) 716-8221

[email protected]

Fact Sheet

Best Foot Forward For Pedestrian Safety

 

Orlando is the most dangerous city for pedestrians in the nation, according to Transportation America  

Four Florida metropolitan areas were ranked as the most dangerous places to walk.

  1. Metro Orlando
  2. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
  3. Jacksonville
  4. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach

 

Why is Metro Orlando #1 Most Dangerous for Pedestrians – 10 years running?  

  • It’s the numbers. Because we have less people walking than other metro areas in the country, walkers aren’t common.  Drivers are not looking out for them.
  • 1.2% people walk to work in Central Florida
  • Central Florida roads were built for drivers, not walkers or bikers.  Residents, county and city engineers and MetroPlan Orlando are seeking to change this.

 

Pedestrian Fatalities and Injuries in Central Florida:

  • On average: Two pedestrians are injured every day in Central Florida and one is killed every week.

 

How many Pedestrian Fatalities & Injuries in Orange County? (Includes City of Orlando and all municipalities in the Orange County) 

  • On average, 37 pedestrians are killed and 500 are injured every year in Orange County.  Injuries range from slight fractures to sever head trauma, according to Orlando Health Trauma Center.
    • 2013: 36 Fatalities and 534 injuries
    • 2012: 38 Fatalities and 537 Injuries
    • 2011: 30 Fatalities and 481 Injuries
    • 2010: 44 Fatalities and 521 Injuries (stats from MetroPlan Orlando)

 

Orange County Stats

  • 154 total traffic crash fatalities in Orange County.  24% are pedestrian fatalities whereas only 5% of all traffic crash fatalities are bicyclists. Majority are male.
  • Majority of fatalities occur on roads over 40 mph
  • Majority of injuries occur on roads over 30 mph
  • Majority of pedestrians injured live in Central Florida; Majority of drivers injuring pedestrians resides in Central Florida.

 

Who are these pedestrians?

  • Residents, not visitors. According to Orlando Health Trauma Center, of the 425 pedestrian accidents admitted, only 76 were not from Central Florida.

 

Who are the drivers? Residents, not visitors.

Enforcement in the last year has shown an improvement in driving behavior:

Yield Rates:

  • When Best Foot Forward started its initiative, the baseline yield rate for pedestrians was only 12% at nine local roads with a speed of 35 mph or less. Through enforcement and education, Best Foot Forward has raised that number to 48%.
  • The yield rate baseline for roads 40 mph or higher started at 1.4% and has risen to 5.4%

 

Enforcement:

  • Over 3,800 warnings regarding pedestrian safety have been issued r by the Orange County Sherriff’s Office (OCSO) and the Orlando Police Department (OPD).
  • A total of over 1,500 citations have been issued by OCSO and OPD since the launch of Best Foot Forward in June 2012.

 

What is Florida’s Yield Law:

Florida’s Traffic Yield Law:

  • Drivers must yield to pedestrians at an intersection, even if there are no pavement markings or signs indicating a crosswalk.
  • Drivers may not pass cars stopped at a crosswalk.
  • Turning vehicles must yield to pedestrians crossing on a green light, or with a WALK signal.
  • Drivers must come to a complete stop at crosswalks with signs indicating that a full stop is required.

 

If you fail to yield:

  • Drivers face a fine of $164, and three (3) points on the driver’s license.
  • Worse, you could severely injure someone or take a life.  A pedestrian struck by a car traveling 35 miles an hour has only a 50% chance of survival. 

 

On-Site Contact:  Amanda Day at 407-716-8221.

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About Best Foot Forward

Best Foot Forward is a coalition of civic leaders, public safety officials, engineers, educators, transportation planners, advocates and concerned citizens. Initiated by Bike/Walk Central Florida under the leadership of former Orange County Mayor Linda Chapin, spearheaded by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, the coalition includes, Orange County Government, Orange County Public Schools, Orlando Health, Lynx, Winter Park Health Foundation, MetroPlan Orlando, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Bicycle Association, the City of Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Windermere, Winter Garden, Apopka, and town of Eatonville as well as police chiefs throughout Orange County led by Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.

The mission is to reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths by half over five years. To learn more, go to www.iyield4peds.org.

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