Operation BFF: Reminding drivers to watch for people as daylight hours shorten

on November 15, 2017 at 12:14 am

With 47 reported pedestrian fatalities in Orange County, 2017 is shaping up to be one of the deadliest years on record for people simply trying to walk across a street. Add in the fact that Daylight Savings just ended and we’ve got a dangerous combo. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that with earlier sunsets “adjusting to the new, low-light environment can take time, and that driving while drowsy puts everyone – especially pedestrians – at greater risk.”

That’s why on Wednesday, November 8, The Orlando Police Department (OPD) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) joined forces for their 18th round of Operation Best Foot Forward (Operation BFF). This high-visibility, dual-enforcement action reminds drivers of Florida’s driver yield law.

It’s simple – undercover officers wear plain clothes and cross the street at a marked crosswalk, giving motorists enough time to yield. Those who fail to stop face a $164 ticket and three points on their license.

During the Operation BFF details, OPD and OCSO made 99 stops and issued 72 citations across eight different crosswalks. That brings the total number of warnings and citations to more than 7,400 to date. Thank you, OPD and OCSO, for continuing to help us raise awareness about the need to stop for people walking.

Thanks to our local news stations and friends on social media, more than just those 99 people receiving warnings or citations learned about the driver yield rate. Those who saw the coverage now know how important it is to stay alert when on the roads. Special thanks to WKMG, WESH, News 13, FOX 35, WDBO, and WMFE for reporting this story.