The Ocala Police Department will soon kick off an eight-month high visibility enforcement operation with the goal of improving pedestrian and bicycle safety.
“We have identified areas where significant numbers of pedestrian and bicycle-related crashes have occurred and we’re responding by deploying additional officers to those areas in an effort to increase awareness of, and compliance with, Florida traffic safety laws,” stated OPD in a social media post.
Beginning on Thursday, September 21 and running through May 2024, the patrols will take place in the following locations:
- S Pine Avenue, from SW 15th Street to SW 10th Street.
- W Silver Springs Boulevard, from U.S. 301 to SE 1st Avenue.
- SW College Road, from SW 48th Avenue to Interstate 75.Â
- E Silver Springs Boulevard, from NE 22nd Avenue to NE 25th Avenue.
- W Silver Springs Boulevard, from SW 40th Avenue to NW 27th Avenue.
- NW Blitchton Road, from NW 38th Avenue to NW 33rd Avenue.
- E Silver Springs Boulevard, from NE 40th Avenue to NE 49th Avenue.
- W Silver Springs Boulevard, from SW 21st Avenue to NW Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.
- SW 39th Avenue, from SW 28th Place to SW 22nd Street.
- SE Pine Avenue, from SE 22nd Place to SW 17th Street.
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 committing any other dangerous violations.
Officers will also be watching for pedestrians crossing the street illegally or failing to yield to motorists who have the right of way.
In addition, officers will look for bicyclists riding against traffic or riding at night without lights. According to OPD, free bicycle lights will be provided to those who need them.