New funding targets high-risk areas for pedestrian and bike crashes in Broward County
Broward County, Florida – The Broward Sheriff’s Office has received additional funding to expand its efforts aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists across Broward County. The help comes from Florida’s “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow” program, which is a high-visibility enforcement campaign that aims to cut down on major accidents involving people walking or riding bicycles.
The most recent grant gives $224,821.82 in additional funding under a contract managed by the University of North Florida’s Institute of Police Technology and Management. The total price of the contract is now $291,215.64, thanks to this boost. The initiative will run until May 8, 2026, which will be the 13th year in a row that the Broward Sheriff’s Office has been involved in the statewide safety effort.
The money lets officers do both education and enforcement at the same time while dealing with unsafe behaviors by pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Deputies will be out and about in all parts of Broward County, but they will pay special attention to places where people walk and ride bikes. Their job is to talk directly to people who use the roads to explain safety rules and duties, and they also give warnings or tickets when they see people violating Florida traffic laws.
The main purpose of the project is to cut down on the number of accidents and deaths that happen while people walk or ride bikes. Studies have proven over and over that accidents involving individuals walking or riding bikes are more likely to cause serious or fatal injuries than other types of traffic accidents. Officials say that one of the most important things to do to lower those dangers is to make people more aware of and follow traffic laws.
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As part of the program, the Broward Sheriff’s Office is reminding people of some key safety tips. When sidewalks aren’t accessible, pedestrians should walk facing traffic as much as possible. When there are bike lanes, bikers should use them and ride in the same direction as cars.
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Pedestrians and cyclists should avoid things that could distract them, like headphones or cell phones, only cross roadways at designated places, and follow all traffic signals. At night, visibility is also very important. Drivers should be vigilant, minimize distractions, and leave at least three feet of space while overtaking bikers.
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Officials believe that all of these things together are meant to make the county’s roads safer for everyone who uses them.
