The Ocala Police Department is preparing to launch high visibility enforcement details in an effort to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Over an eight-month period, which begins on Monday, November 14, additional officers will be on patrol at multiple locations to help educate motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians about Florida’s traffic safety laws.
Those locations will include:
- SW College Road.
- E Silver Springs Boulevard.
- W Silver Springs Boulevard.
- NW Blitchton Road.
During this enforcement effort, special attention will be directed toward drivers who are speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield and stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, or any other dangerous violations.
Officers will also be watching for pedestrians crossing the street illegally, failing to yield to motorists who have the right of way, and for bicyclists riding against traffic or riding at night without lights.
According to OPD, Marion County ranks in the top 25 counties in Florida for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists. The police department, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation, is launching the eight-month operation to help reverse this trend.
Funding for the high visibility enforcement operation is being provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.