Plenty of Work Ahead in Region’s Push for Pedestrian Safety
Posted on: March 9, 2021 in Complete Streets, Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), Safety
A 2020 Dip in Fatalities Follows Record Year of Deaths
A pedestrian contends with traffic in the UCF area, during a 2019 Operation Best Foot Forward enforcement.
Central Florida experienced a drop in pedestrian crash fatalities in 2020, after a 22% spike in fatalities from 2018-2019. The 2020 dip (29%) is largely attributed to changing traffic patterns as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
As the region begins to emerge from the pandemic in 2021, pedestrian safety should be uppermost in the minds of drivers and walkers alike. MetroPlan Orlando continues working, along with government and transportation partners, to reach a goal of ZERO pedestrian fatalities.
An analysis of Central Florida crash data also shows:
- 2019 had the highest number of pedestrian deaths ever for Central Florida (89).
- Four out of five pedestrian deaths occur at night.
- Most pedestrian fatalities occur among working-age adults on high-speed roads with posted speeds of 40 mph or more.
For the latest updates on pedestrian safety in our region, see the Pedestrian Safety Fact Sheet – 2021.
Pedestrian Safety Fact Sheet – 2021
MetroPlan Orlando is focused on making the region safer for pedestrians in several ways. Among our current efforts are:
- Seeking additional funding during the 2021 Florida Legislative session for expansion of the Best Foot Forward for pedestrian safety program with the support of Rep. Kristen Arrington and Sen. Linda Stewart.
- Adding a target of ZERO fatalities or serious injuries on all roads to the safety performance measures in our 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
- Continuing to lead Complete Streets efforts in the region to consider the needs of all users in transportation planning.
We support our partners in the Best Foot Forward Coalition, which has been working since 2012 to promote safe conditions for pedestrians. This group of government, law enforcement, and volunteers coordinates pedestrian safety activities across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.
Our region is regularly cited as a dangerous area for pedestrians in the bi-annual Dangerous by Design reports released by Smart Growth America. This year’s report, which looks at pedestrian safety across the U.S., came out on March 10. Read it here.