In recognition of School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on February 7, the Best Foot Forward…
Operation Best Foot Forward Targets Parks and Trails to Keep Central Florida Families Safer
From scooters and skateboards to strollers and training wheels, Central Florida’s parks and trails are filled with people looking to enjoy the outdoors. But for too many families, a trip to the park comes with a hidden risk: drivers failing to yield at nearby crosswalks.
That’s why, from April 22 to May 2, 2025, the Best Foot Forward (BFF) coalition partnered with law enforcement agencies across eight counties to carry out its spring Operation Best Foot Forward (OBFF) with a sharp focus on pedestrian safety near parks and trails. The timing couldn’t be more critical. As the school year winds down and kids head outdoors, the need for drivers to slow down and stop for pedestrians grows even more urgent.
This high-visibility enforcement effort spanned Central Florida counties, including Brevard, Flagler, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia. Plainclothes officers posed as everyday pedestrians, crossing at marked crosswalks where yield rates remain dangerously low. Drivers who failed to stop were either issued a warning or received a citation, which could carry a minimum $164 and three points on their license. The goal is to reinforce Florida’s driver yield laws and encourage safer behavior around people walking and biking.
Why Parks and Trails?
Data collected by the BFF program shows that drivers are less likely to yield near parks and trails compared to other locations. Only 46% of drivers yield at trail crossings, and 49% within a half mile of parks, compared to over 60% near schools. The likely cause is that school zones often feature more visible signage, slower speed limits, and predictable pedestrian activity. Parks and trails, however, lack those same built-in protections. That’s where OBFF steps in to help close the gap.
Enforcement in Action
Some of the crosswalks selected for this operation had alarmingly low yield rates. For example:
- Port Malabar Blvd NE in Palm Bay had a yield rate of just 12%
- Dirksen Dr. & Mansion Blvd. in Volusia County showed only 18% compliance
- Seminole County’s Markham Rd. & Lake Markham Rd. hovered at just 33%
In contrast, some areas are beginning to show progress. In Marion County, the crosswalk near Liberty Community Park reached a 56% yield rate, suggesting that sustained efforts like OBFF can drive improvement over time.
More Than Just Tickets
While enforcement is a major component, OBFF is more than just handing out citations. It is about fostering a culture of respect and responsibility on the road. Every driver who is stopped is reminded that a crosswalk is not just paint on pavement; it is a place where lives are at stake. Every community reached brings us one step closer to safer, more walkable streets.
Thank You to Our Partners
Operation Best Foot Forward would not be possible without the dedication of our law enforcement partners and community supporters who work year-round to make Central Florida’s streets safer for everyone.
This spring’s enforcement included participation from the following agencies:
- Apopka Police Department
- Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (Cape Canaveral)
- Casselberry Police Department
- Daytona Beach Police Department
- Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety
- Flagler Beach Police Department
- Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
- Indian Harbour Beach Police Department
- Lakeland Police Department
- Marion County Sheriff’s Office
- Mount Dora Police Department
- Oakland Police Department
- Orange County Sheriff’s Office
- Orlando Police Department
- Osceola County Sheriff’s Office
- Palm Bay Police Department
- Ponce Inlet Police Department
- Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
- St. Cloud Police Department
- Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
We are also grateful to the elected officials who joined us in the field to show their support for pedestrian safety:
- Commissioner Andy Dance, Flagler County District 1
- Commissioner Diane Velazquez, City of Apopka, Seat 2 (Vice Mayor)
- Mayor Bryan Nelson, City of Apopka
And a special thank you to the community partners and supporters who contributed their time and energy:
- Tracey Sapp, Florida Department of Health in Marion County
- Amy O’Brien, HCA Healthcare – Marion County
- Sheryl Aldorando, Orlando Health
- Lina Chico, Orlando Health
- Monica Howington, HCA Healthcare – Seminole County
- Wendy Woodrich, Volunteer in Volusia County
- Tess Schwartz, City of Lakeland
- Steven Cribb, City of Apopka
- Mike Blinn, Seminole County
- Seminole County Crossing Guards
- Henry Salinas, Osceola County
Their presence underscores the importance of community-wide collaboration in promoting safer streets.
We are also grateful to all of our Best Foot Forward coalition partners who make these operations possible through collaboration, outreach, and education. Together, we are building a culture where yielding to people in crosswalks is the norm, not the exception.
See the Operation in Action
To view photos from the latest Operation Best Foot Forward, visit our Flickr album.
To learn more about OBFF and ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian safety across Central Florida, visit iyield4peds.org/operationbff.
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