Operation Best Foot Forward Expands Reach & Impact Across Florida

April 7, 2026

This spring, Operation Best Foot Forward (OBFF) reached new milestones, expanding its footprint, strengthening collaborations, and continuing to shift driver behavior at crosswalks across Florida.


Led by the Best Foot Forward pedestrian safety program, OBFF is part of a long-term, data-driven effort focused on one simple but critical behavior: getting more drivers to stop for people in marked crosswalks, as required by Florida law.


Through a combination of education, high-visibility enforcement, and low-cost engineering improvements, the program works with communities to make everyday crossings safer and more predictable. 


From March 10 through April 3, communities across the state came together for a four-week operation, the longest in the program’s history, focused on improving safety at crosswalks and helping people move safely from place to place through a shared culture of respect on our streets. 


A First for Jacksonville and a Growing Statewide Effort

One of the most significant milestones this year was the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office joining Operation Best Foot Forward for the first time. 


This expansion marks an important step beyond Central Florida and signals growing interest from communities across the state in adopting proven strategies to improve crosswalk safety. ο»Ώ

JSO: Bert Rd. & Lillian Rd.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office participating in its first OBFF.

It also reflects a broader shift: more agencies are recognizing that improving driver behavior at crosswalks is not just about enforcement, it’s about creating safer, more predictable environments where people can move confidently through their communities. 

Why Focus on Parks and Community Destinations? 

For this operation, crosswalks near parks, trails, and community destinations were prioritized; places where more people are out and active during spring break and Florida Bicycle Month. Previous program data has shown that driver yield rates tend to be lower in these environments, making them critical areas for focused education and awareness. 

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Research supports this approach. A study published in Injury Prevention found that the risk of child pedestrian fatalities is more than twice as high near parks compared to schools, likely due to the additional traffic controls typically present in school zones.

Holly Hill PD: Riverside Dr & 10th St
Crosswalk at Riverside Dr & 10th St in Holly Hill.

By focusing on these locations, the operation addresses a key gap in how drivers anticipate and respond to people crossing the street.

A Longer Operation, A Larger Impact 

For the first time, OBFF was conducted over four weeks instead of two, allowing for more consistent engagement and visibility across participating communities. 


That extended timeframe contributed to the highest level of enforcement activity in the program’s history, with a combined total of: 


646 warnings and citations issued to drivers who failed to yield at marked crosswalks. 


These numbers aren’t just about enforcement; they represent real-time opportunities to educate drivers, reinforce expectations, and encourage safer behavior moving forward. ο»Ώ

JSO: Bert Rd. & Lillian Rd.
Near miss at marked crosswalk in Jacksonville.

Strong Participation Across Multiple Counties

This operation spanned multiple counties across Florida, including: 


Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia counties. 


Law enforcement agencies participating in this effort included: 


  • Apopka Police Department 
  • Belleview Police Department 
  • Brevard County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Bunnell Police Department 
  • Casselberry Police Department 
  • Flagler County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Holly Hill Police Department 
  • Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department 
  • Indian Harbour Beach Police Department 
  • Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office 
  • Kissimmee Police Department 
  • Lakeland Police Department 
  • Longwood Police Department 
  • Marion County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Oakland Police Department 
  • Orange County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Orlando Police Department 
  • Osceola County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Palm Bay Police Department 
  • Ponce Inlet Police Department 
  • Titusville Police Department 
  • Volusia County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Winter Haven Police Department 

Visibility Beyond the Crosswalk

In addition to on-the-ground enforcement, many participating agencies actively shared their involvement on social media, extending the reach of the message beyond each individual crosswalk.

This visibility plays a critical role in reinforcing awareness: 

  • reminding drivers what the law requires 
  • showing real-world examples of enforcement 
  • encouraging safer behavior even outside of active operations 

Building Toward Safer Streets

Operation Best Foot Forward is not a one-time effort; it’s part of a sustained strategy to improve driver yield rates over time. 


Each operation builds on the last, expanding reach, strengthening partnerships, and reinforcing a culture where stopping at crosswalks becomes the norm, not the exception. 


As more communities participate and awareness continues to grow, the impact extends far beyond any single intersection.

Apopka PD: Jason Dwelley Parkway & Brush Drive
BFF Staff Rafael Burgos with Apopka PD, Police Chief Quinn-Henry, and Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson.

See highlights from this year’s operation across participating communities: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCN1Yv 

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