JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In an effort to increase focus on bicycle and pedestrian safety, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will begin issuing citations in four high-traffic areas prone to crashes involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles starting Monday.
"I'm like, 'Are you serious? $62.50?" said Mathew Webb of the ticket he got Monday for crossing Beach Boulevard outside of a crosswalk.
That's the fine any pedestrian or bicyclist will have to pay if they get caught breaking the law.
"Pedestrians need to look out for these cars," said Justin Pittman, who walks along Beach Boulevard often. "They're a lot (more) dangerous and heavier than (pedestrians) are."
There have been 138 pedestrian-related crashes in Duval County in the first three months of 2017. Eight of those pedestrians were killed. There have been 78 crashes involving bicycles so far this year.
"It's not really safe. Just the other day, I saw somebody in the car hop the curb and almost take me out," said bicyclist Robert Lee.
Driver Mary Casey told News4Jax she welcomes the increased awareness and enforcement.
"I've seen some bodies in the road. Trust me, that's why I think everyone should use the crosswalks, the lights, just to be careful," said Casey, who has lived in Jacksonville for 21 years.
Officers will be focusing on the following four locations, which the Florida Department of Transportation says are dangerous areas:
- 103rd Street from Hillman Drive to Blanding Boulevard
- Atlantic Boulevard from Cortez Road to Arlington Road
- Kings Road/U.S. 23 from Interstate 95 to North Canal Street
- Beach Boulevard/U.S. 90 from St. John’s Bluff Road South to South Shores Road
The most common excuse people had for jaywalking is that the next crosswalk was just too far away. In the enforcement area of Beach Boulevard, News4Jax found that crosswalks could be a half mile apart.
Police said the action isn't about catching people, it's about saving lives.
This week's heightened enforcement is part of the second phase of a four-month grant from the Florida Department of Transportation. During the first two months of the grant’s period of operation, driver education materials were distributed during interactions with individuals in these areas, the Sheriff's Office said.
At a minimum, police said, one deployment will take place per week at one of the four locations identified. At least one deployment is scheduled to take place at each location every month.
FDOT officials and police hope it will heighten everyone's awareness on busy roads and remind them to stop and look both ways before walking and driving.
Asked if the ticket he received Monday will get him to stop, Webb said no.
"I'm just going to do it," he said.