Five years ago, Florida ranked number one in the country in terms of the numbers of bicyclist and pedestrian deaths on its roadways. Since then, the state has dropped a spot, and officials with the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) are focused on continuing to enhance the safety of everyone using the state’s roads and highways.
The DOT is working with municipalities across the state to improve local traffic infrastructure, and the education and enforcement of the various laws and regulations affecting all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Perhaps the most substantial part of the effort is getting motorists to pay attention to their surroundings and recognize pedestrians and cyclists with whom they share the road.
State DOT officials also recognize the importance of getting pedestrians to pay attention to their surroundings while walking and biking. Law enforcement officials regularly reporting seeing far too many students walking through crosswalks while they are texting or using their phones, and that too many cyclists ride into an intersection without paying attention to stop or yield signs. Other cyclists do not wear appropriately lit gear at night or do not have reflectors on their bikes, which can make them very difficult to see.
All of these issues are a focus for Florida officials as they work to reduce the number of traffic deaths in the state on a continual basis.
Pedestrians and cyclists have a reasonable expectation that drivers will notice them and yield to them when they’re supposed to do so. If you need to take legal action after an injury to you or a loved one, speak with a knowledgeable Bradenton personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.