Enforce: Operation Best Foot Forward

Enforcement is a key component of the Best Foot Forward program. Through Operation Best Foot Forward, law enforcement agencies conduct high-visibility crosswalk enforcement operations that reinforce Florida's driver yield laws and support safer behavior at marked crossings.

What is Operation Best Foot Forward?

Operation Best Foot Forward is a high-visibility enforcement campaign designed to raise awareness that it is the law to yield or stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

During the operation, plainclothes walkers cross the street in marked crosswalks, giving drivers adequate time to slow down and stop. For drivers who fail to yield or stop in adherence with the applicable Florida Law, law enforcement officials may issue citations with a minimum fine of $164 and up to 3 points on their license.


Operation Best Foot Forward uses the same model as the "Click-It-or-Ticket" campaign that helped bring seatbelt compliance up to 85%.

What is the Law at Crosswalks?

  • Florida Law directs drivers to yield or stop for pedestrians "when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger" -- F.S. Ch. 316 Sec. 130 (7)(a-c).
  • At intersections with traffic signals, the driver must come to a complete stop when a pedestrian has a walk signal. -- F.S. 316.130(7)(a)
  • At crosswalks without a traffic signal, the driver must come to a complete stop if signage so indicates; where signage does not indicate so, drivers must yield for the pedestrian by slowing down, or by stopping -- if necessary to so yield. -- F.S. 316.130(7)(b)(c)
  • Where sidewalks exist, pedestrians should use them.
  • If sidewalks are unavailable, walk off the roadway and face oncoming traffic/vehicles.
  • Cross at intersections or marked crosswalks whenever possible.
  • If crossing mid-block cannot be avoided, pedestrians must yield right of way to vehicles on the roadway.
  • Obey pedestrian signals where provided:
  • Walking person (or "walk") means start crossing.
  • Flashing raised hand (or "don't walk") means finish crossing if you've already started - do not start crossing.
  • Solid raised hand (or "don't walk") means do not cross.

Does Operation Best Foot Forward Make Crosswalks Safer?

Crosswalks can begin showing improvement in driver yield rate after just one enforcement. However, Best Foot Forward data from more than 700 enforcements over the past decade show that the most consistent improvement in driver yield rate (13-pt. avg. increase) occurs when crosswalks meet all three of these conditions:

1

Enforced over two calendar years

2

Enforced during two different seasons each year

3

Four travel lanes or less

Our Role

While the enforcements themselves are conducted by local law enforcement, Best Foot Forward helps facilitate the operation by:

Coordinating and tracking operation details with local law enforcement

Creating media alerts and conducting interviews with local news outlets

Ensuring the operation is administered consistently across the region

Measuring the driver yield rate before & after each enforcement

Promoting the operation through social media & other channels

Creating and distributing educational materials for officers to share with drivers

Participating Agencies

These Florida law enforcement agencies have participated in Operation Best Foot Forward within the past few years:

Have questions about crosswalk enforcement or Operation Best Foot Forward?

Contact us to learn more about how the operation works and how enforcement efforts support crosswalk safety.

Educate

Building awareness and understanding of crosswalk safety.

Engineer

Using data to inform safer crossing design and visibility.

Evaluate

Measuring driver behavior and tracking progress over time.