Best Foot Forward Announces Initiative to Make Florida Streets Safer for Pedestrians

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on June 4, 2012

Florida and especially the Orlando area have an extremely high rate of pedestrian accidents. Orlando’s metro area is regularly at the top of lists of U.S. cities for accidents involving pedestrians. There is an average of one pedestrian killed every week and two suffering injury every day. An initiative led by Bike Walk Central Florida has been formed in order to deal with this problem. Partners in the coalition include local government, law enforcement agencies, Orlando Health and Winter Park Health Foundation. The group is planning on reducing the amount of pedestrian deaths and injuries by ten percent each year through education, enforcement and street improvements.

Local law enforcement plans on playing a major role in decreasing the numbers of pedestrian accident victims. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said that tickets will be given to drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians. "We’re going to be the enforcement arm," he said. He also said that, in the beginning, officers will issue warnings to many drivers who do not respect the right of way of pedestrians, and after a repeated offense, drivers will be cited and given a ticket. He continued to say that the best way to change behavior is through appropriate enforcement. There also plans in place to improve street lighting and signage as well as educate drivers to yield to pedestrians. In addition, there is a project already underway to increase the number of Orlando’s sidewalks.

Hopefully, the combination of educating drivers on the importance of yielding to pedestrians, improving streets and enforcing laws will lead to a reduced rate of pedestrian accidents. If you or a close family member was injured in a pedestrian accident and you would like to speak with an attorney, contact Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 to schedule a free consultation.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.