District Two Community Traffic Safety Program News Update • April 2024 TRAFFICSAFETYTALK “Bringing You Home Safely” since 1994 For 30 years, our community-based traffic safety program has effectively provided solutions to local crash problems. Our tagline, “Bringing you home safely,” is more than just words. It’s a consistent reminder of what we all strive for. Target Zero’s “Everyone has something to get home to” is an excellent tie-in with our Northeast Florida Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP). The seven Traffic Safety Teams, incorporating all 18 counties in District 2, work diligently to “Do More in 2024” (our theme for this year). During March’s Columbia/Hamilton/ Lafayette/Suwannee meeting, Mike Burroughs with FHP gave a nice shout-out to the team: “This team is an effective resource and has made an impact on many lives.” The positive attitudes and earnest efforts to improve traffic safety for all make these teams an asset. This year, we have already gained 41 new team members. We welcome new faces and returning members. Please visit our website to learn more about the CTSP and our history, along with information on Safe Communities, the 4 E’s in Traffic Safety, and Target Zero. Special thanks to Duval Traffic Safety Team member Karen Livingston with the UNF Police Department for inviting us to participate and for her dedication and enthusiasm. She set up the Drunk Goggle Obstacle Course and Walk the Line for students to try the impaired driver simulations using Fatal Vision goggles. Learn More Before Spring Break, we partnered with the University of North Florida Student Government, the UNF Police Department, and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department in Duval to encourage safe driving behaviors with students. This pop-up event promoted Target Zero to help eliminate deaths on our roadways. We hope to join forces with more student groups and other departments around the district. Outreach with College Students UNF Pop-Up Event
Buckle Up Love – We have a sweet spot for our Traffic Safety Team members and partners that help promote Target Zero and buckling up reminders! Seeing these messages from across all of our 18 counties and online does our hearts good. Let’s keep saving lives and helping get everyone home safely! Prior to Spring Break coming up, Jacksonville’s A. Philip Randolph Career Academies promoted good driving behaviors with their students and other drivers. Thank you for “Building Our Tomorrow” safer for all! Distracted driving reminders visible at the entrance of St. Johns County’s Tocoi Creek High School in the World Golf Village area. Go Vikings! William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville is display two Target Zero banners in their gym with distracted driving and speeding messages to help save lives! Jennifer Joyner with Gilchrist County Road Department attached our banners at both sides of their entrance. They are viewed by all drivers on US Hwy 129 in Gilchrist County. Safety gets a THUMBS UP at Fort White High School in Columbia County. The Gainesville Police Department wished everyone a happy and safe Valentine’s Day with one of our traffic safety graphics on Instagram. We’re feeling the love! The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office included a cute poem with our adorable “Buckle Up” Valentine. Sure, flowers are nice and candy is sweet, But keeping your loved ones safe just can’t be beat! So for this Valentine’s, we just wanted to say, Be Safe on the roads each and every day. In addition to the hearts, roses and a Teddy Bear, Phone Down, Buckle Up, because “We Care”! Targeting 100% Safety Belt Use + ZERO Fatalities
Anthony Ferris and the Florida Department of Health continue to educate and promote traffic safety for healthier and happy babies and children. The participated in two recent outreach events at the Olustee Festival in Baker County and at the Columbia County Housing Authority Family Fun Day! Don’t forget to take pictures and share with us at: [email protected] Community traffic safety partners join forces across District 2. Outreach in a fun and relaxed environment is a great way to reach our at-risk families and keep kids safe on the road. As we work toward Florida’s Target Zero goal, focusing on educating young road users (and our future drivers) is a smart way to prevent injuries and fatalities. This spring, we have two new offerings. The Walk ‘n Roll Safely 20-page traffic safety activity book is 8.5”x11” with bright and cheerful animal characters for ages 4-8. The Safety Scores - Up Your Safety Game 24-page 6”x9” flip book is positive and motivational, with one side for children ages 5-10 and the other targeted for ages 10-15. These booklets contain mazes, puzzles, crosswords, word searches, trivia, and safety checklists to keep kids engaged while emphasizing valuable safety rules. They address safety topics on occupant protection, pedestrian, bike, helmet use, ATV off-road rules, and school bus dangers. We have had an excellent response, and initial orders are already being filled. If you have any spring or summer outreach opportunities, make sure to order now if you haven’t already. We are excited to see these materials distributed at upcoming partner agency events. Our W.H.A.L.E. Check (We Have A Little Emergency) program and materials were shared at several community events over the last two months. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office had a booth at the Bradford Agricultural Fair offering important safety information plus a chance for the kids to win prizes on the Plinko board! FDOT D2 Target Zero joined with UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, Gainesville Fire Rescue, and Gainesville Police Department for an event focusing on the local homeschool community. Parents and kids got the opportunity to learn essential safety protocols for walking and biking, the importance of helmet protection, and proper car seat safety practices. Traffic Safety for Little Ones Click to Order
Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTSTs) in rural northeast Florida play a critical role in addressing road safety concerns and implementing measures to enhance residents’ well-being. Rural areas often have narrower roads, limited lighting, and fewer traffic control devices. These roads also have higher speeds, longer travel distances, and reduced access to emergency services, making road safety a significant issue. Furthermore, rural communities are not immune to the impacts of unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving. These behaviors can lead to serious injuries and fatalities, underscoring the importance of proactive safety measures and interventions. By addressing safety in rural communities, CTSTs can help ensure residents and visitors have access to safe and well-maintained roadways. Road safety improvements in rural areas also support economic development, tourism, and community well-being. Moreover, promoting road safety fosters a sense of community responsibility and shared commitment to creating safe environments for all road users. A prevalent issue in rural communities is speeding and reckless driving behavior, which poses significant risks to road users. CTSTs work with law enforcement agencies to conduct speed enforcement campaigns, educate the public on the dangers of speeding, and advocate for traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and reduced speed limits in high-risk areas. Infrastructure improvements are a crucial focus of CTST initiatives, with projects often involving road design and signage enhancements. In 2021, law enforcement brought the concern with the new Circle K gas station access management on Baya Avenue (Lake City, Columbia County). Several drivers traveling westbound on Baya Ave were traveling the wrong way into that left turn lane to Circle K and ended up westbound in the Eastbound lanes of US 90. Through discussion with Lake City Police, Florida Highway Patrol, FDOT Maintenance, and Roadway Design, a signing and pavement marking improvement plan was developed and implemented through a maintenance work order. Pedestrian safety is another emphasis area CTSTs address, especially in school zones and areas with high foot traffic. In 2022, the Town of Branford (Suwannee County) contacted FDOT, expressing concerns for pedestrians (children and aging road users) crossing SR 20/US 27 at or near McDonald’s and Family Dollar. A study was conducted on SR 20/US 27 between SE Savannah Street and SW Braughton Street to determine the justification for a midblock crossing. Based on pedestrian counts, existing site conditions, and evaluation criteria set forth by the FDOT Traffic Engineering Manual, a marked pedestrian crosswalk and PHB is recommended for installation along SR 20/US 27, just west of S Reynolds Street, to provide safe pedestrian access to and from the business establishments through a work program project. Our CTSTs play a crucial role in promoting road safety and enhancing the well-being of residents in northeast Florida. We will continue to recognize the unique challenges faced by rural areas and the importance of proactive safety measures. Revolutionizing Road Safety If you see a new traffic safety concern, please submit it with photos or videos through the online Roadway Concerns form. CTSTs are Saving Lives on Rural Roads SR20/US27, Branford Baya Ave, Lake City Submit a Concern
Alachua CTST member Morris Sherman initiated the first FDOT Bike Lane Design Contest in Northeast Florida, and we love seeing the tradition continue year after year as part of Mobility Week in District 2. This is an excellent, proactive way to engage with students, families, and community partners. It’s a local grassroots approach to traffic safety with a longlasting impression. The contest was recently featured in local news to celebrate Black History Month, spotlighting winner Naomi Dorsey from Argyle Elementary School. Her colorful bike lane art was installed last year and will be recognized for years, along with past winners! Upcoming CTST Meetings: Mobility Week Design Contest Bradford / Baker / Union 4.3.24 & 6.5.24 @ 10:30 AM St. Johns / Putnam 4.9.24 & 5.14.24 @ 1:30 PM Columbia / Hamilton / Lafayette / Suwannee 4.16.24 & 5.21.24 @ 10:30 AM Duval 4.17.24 & 5.15.24 @ 10:00 AM Clay 4.17.24 & 5.15.24 @ 2:00 PM Alachua / Dixie / Gilchrist / Levy Madison / Taylor 4.18.24 & 5.16.24 @ 10:00 AM Nassau 5.28.24 @ 10:30 AM Team meetings are virtual and subject to change. Everyone on the road is headed somewhere, and we want them to reach their destination safely. There is an over-representation of fatality and injury crashes involving young men, ages 18–24, in Northeast Florida rural counties, caused by speeding and lower seat belt usage. After doing social marketing research, data analysis, and interviews with male drivers between 18 and 24, we developed a unique message to encourage safer driving behaviors. We are offering our new country-styled posters and banners to our predominantly rural counties first, to be displayed at local agencies, schools, local establishments, community events, music concerts, rodeos, fairs, or other areas where our target audience may see them. They may also be incorporated into the upcoming Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization from May 20 to June 2 and future Battle of the Belts. To save lives, we must make buckling up on our rural roads the social norm and driving at safe speeds part of our Florida country (safety) culture. You may learn more about this campaign on our Buckle Up and Slow Down blog post. A free graphic is available to print as a tip card and share in a newsletter, email, or social media. Additionally, we will distribute a matching country-theme bookmark to rural libraries throughout District 2. Together, we are saving lives and ensuring these drivers not only get to their destination but also reach their destiny. Special Rural-Focused Campaign Life is a journey. Enjoy the Ride… 2019 2024 Read More