There were 166 very unhappy people last Wednesday after Operation Best Foot Forward resulted in a flurry of $164 traffic tickets and warnings for drivers who failed to yield to walkers in marked crosswalks. The high-visibility enforcement action, conducted in tandem with Orlando Police Department (OPD) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), is part of a more comprehensive, grassroots effort to educate residents about their legal responsibilities when walking. Yep, it’s our very own Best Foot Forward.
Operation Best Foot Forward (BFF) drew region-wide attention from eight TV stations, print,Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and from people living near the 11 crosswalks being enforced across Metro Orlando. While many area residents thanked the officers for looking out for their safety, many drivers insisted they didn’t see the person crossing the street, or provided other excuses for not slowing down at the crosswalks.