St. Pete Police To Crack Down On Unsafe Driving Through FDOT Campaign

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — St. Petersburg police will participate in a statewide campaign, "Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow," to increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists on some of the city's busiest streets starting Dec. 1, a news release said.

The police department has recently received a $47,214 contract to conduct operations focusing on bicycle and pedestrian safety through May 2022. These special operations will kick-off Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fourth Street North between 54th Avenue North and 77th Avenue North, deputies said.

According to police, year-to-date, St. Petersburg has had 14 pedestrian fatalities compared to seven during the same time period in 2020, and two bicycle fatalities for both 2020 and 2021. Pinellas County ranks in the top 25 counties in the state for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists, officers said.

Over the next several months, education and enforcement efforts will be conducted along the following roadways, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department:

• 34th Street North and South
• Fourth Street North
• 35th Street North and South
• 18th Avenue South
• 16th Street South
• Third Street North
• US 19/Fifth Avenue North
• 49th Street North

This campaign is in partnership with the Institute for Police Technology and Management and the University of North Florida. Florida Department of Transportation awarded the police department the contract to provide an increased police presence in high traffic areas, deputies said.

The police department said it encourages:

• Drivers- obey speed limits, never drive impaired, and always watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Bicyclists- obey traffic laws, ride in the direction of traffic, and use lights when riding at night.
• Pedestrians- cross the street in crosswalks or at intersections, obey pedestrian signals, and make sure you are visible to drivers when walking at night.