RSSDaytona Police Department Attempting to Combat Bike and Pedestrian Deaths
Police officers inside of Daytona Beach are working hard on a new program aimed at ensuring that the number of deaths and injuries suffered by bikers and pedestrians within their city begins to drop. According to a report from News 6, the initiative began sometime after it was revealed that Daytona Beach ranks 4th on the list of most dangerous mid-sized cities in the entire state of Florida. In an effort to increase safety for pedestrians and bikers in the area, the High-Visibility Enforcement project will focus on increasing communication to both bikers and pedestrians.
One of the primary investigators with the Daytona Beach Police Traffic homicide department spoke to reporters on the subject. When asked as to why the focus of the investigation is on the pedestrians and bikers rather than on the drivers, he responded by saying that most of the fatalities caused by cars and trucks stem from the driver of the car or the truck not seeing the biker or pedestrian until it is too late. It is not known if the investigator was pressed on the issue or if he was reminded about the uptick in aggression experienced by bikers throughout the roadways in Central Florida (a topic we have written about on this blog).
The investigator went on to say that much of the information compiled from reports indicates that the accidents were caused after a pedestrian or cyclist suddenly entered the roadway. It is not known if this information stems from witness reports or if it simply based on the testimony of the drivers involved.
The High-Visibility Enforcement Project will see numerous officers being paid overtime (a specific grant was applied for in regards to this project) in order to increase their presence along streets with heavy foot and car traffic. Officers will look for individuals on foot or bike who appear to be attempting to cross the area without using a crosswalk. It is not clear if the pedestrians and bikers will be ticketed for improper crossing or if they will simply receive an educational warning. Officers are also handing out blinking LED lights for bikers to attach to their bikes in order to increase their visibility.
Sources:
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.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.