February is Crossing Guard Awareness Month, and police and deputies in Orange County are working to improve pedestrian safety.
The Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office have joined forces for Operation Best Foot Forward.
During the operation, plain-clothes officers crossed streets at numerous crosswalks in the county to crack down on motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
The program hopes to enhance driver awareness and help keep pedestrians safer.
For officers, it’s an eye-opening assignment.
"There have been a few times where I've been very close to getting hit and that's why you know we have to pay attention. We try to make eye contact with the driver so they know that we're crossing and to be on our toes in case we need to jump back," Orlando Police Sgt. Jerry Goglas said.
The long-term goal is to cut pedestrian injuries in half in 10 years.
What is the Law for drivers yielding to pedestrians?
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. This means stopping when necessary to let a pedestrian cross.
- Drivers must yield even if there are no pavement markings at the crossing.
- Drivers may not overtake other cars stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross.
- Turning vehicles must yield to pedestrians crossing on a green light or with the WALK signal.
- Drivers who fail to yield face a fine of $164, and 3 points on their driver’s license.