PALM BEACH COUNTY — Palm Beach County ranks sixth (top 25%) in the State of Florida, for counties with a population of over 200,000, for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2021, in Palm Beach County, pedestrians and bicyclists were involved in 1,169 collisions, resulting in 120 serious injury crashes, and 57 fatalities.

In an effort to protect the safety of those most vulnerable roadway users, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) Details since Nov. 8, 2021 at specific intersections throughout central Palm Beach County.

HVE details are funded through a contract with the University of North Florida, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation’s focused initiative to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The goal of this enforcement effort is to increase awareness of and compliance with traffic laws that protect the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.

Enforcement efforts focus primarily on education to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. However, violations have resulted in warnings or citations being issued depending on the circumstance.

Remember:

• Bicyclists: Obey traffic laws, ride in the direction of traffic flow, and always use lights when riding at night.

• Pedestrians: Cross in crosswalk or at intersections, obey pedestrian signals, and make sure you are visible to drivers when walking at night.