Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Tips

Florida’s weather may be unpredictable, but it offers many great opportunities to get outside. Residents, snowbirds, and vacationers enjoy riding their bikes and walking. Your Community Traffic Safety Team wants everyone to stay safe by following these pedestrian and bicyclist safety tips!

Wear bright colors. Increase your visibility and use bike lights/reflectors.

With so many people heading outdoors for a bike ride, motorists – please ALWAYS WATCH for bicyclists on the road. Bicyclists, wear bright colors or reflective gear, so you are visible.


See and be seen. Make eye contact with drivers when crossing streets.

Walking is great for your health and environment! Lace-up and get moving, but be sure to SEE and BE SEEN. Make eye contact with drivers. Drivers, please look in all directions for people on foot! 


Be predictable. Use sidewalks where provided. Cross streets where it is legal to do so.

It’s essential when riding your bicycle to be predictable. Use sidewalks and cross where it is legal. Motorists are to give three feet by law when following or passing cyclists.


Stop! Look left, right, and left for traffic.

Walking is a great way to get fresh air and exercise. Remember to look left, right, and left again for traffic. Motorists, please drive with care and share the road.


Walk defensively. Be prepared for the unexpected.

Pedestrians should walk defensively and be prepared for the unexpected. Drivers, please remember to focus on driving and eliminate distractions; phones down, eyes up!


Be careful in parking lots. They can be more hazardous than streets!

Be careful in busy parking lots – these areas can be more dangerous than streets! Drivers must proceed with caution and be on the lookout for pedestrians. 

WALKING AND BIKING DEFENSIVELY

Walking and bike riding are great ways to stay active and healthy. Exercising is also a great tool for people of all ages and improves driving skills, especially older drivers. To learn more, check out our Defensive Driving Tools.

Exercise/Fitness Benefits:

  • Enhances mobility, flexibility, and balance
    • Helps maintain or lose weight
    • Reduces impact of illness and chronic disease 
    • Helps with better sleep and more energy
    • Improves mood and self-confidence
    • Boosts cognitive function

Click here for more great pedestrian safety tips for walkers and drivers.

Click here for important bicycle safety tips and resources for cyclists and motorists.

W.H.A.L.E. Check Program

We Have A Little Emergency – W.H.A.L.E. CHECK Child Passenger Safety Program

Now is the time to educate new parents and caregivers about Florida’s Child Passenger Safety (CPS) laws and guidelines. The W.H.A.L.E. Check program is an excellent resource with important child passenger information and recommendations.

The number of U.S. births rose in 2021. The modest 1% gain is more like a baby bump than a baby boom. However, according to new Census Bureau data, Florida’s population also grew by 1.9% from July 2021 to July 2022 – the most significant increase of any US state. Since 2016, some District Two counties have seen even higher growth. St. Johns County has grown by 24% and Nassau County by 16.5% over the last six years. With this baby and population increase in Northeast Florida, there is a need to strengthen child passenger safety education and outreach.

The W.H.A.L.E. Check program was first introduced in May of 2002 in Jacksonville, Florida, by Northeast FDOT District Two’s CTSP. This is a child passenger safety education and identification program for parents and caregivers in Florida. In the event of an automobile crash, children are often too young to identify themselves or provide helpful information.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to complete the sticker and place it on the back of the child’s car seat to provide vital contact information to emergency personnel. We suggest users stick the two smaller labels on each side of the car seat. These alert rescuers that the occupant is participating in W.H.A.L.E. Check.

Our popular and nationally recognized W.H.A.L.E. Check campaign remains highly requested and distributed material with important child occupant protection education and information. Almost 300,000 printed W.H.A.L.E. Checks have been distributed in Northeast Florida since being launched. Over 1,656 digital versions have been viewed or downloaded from this website. The site has received over 10,000 social media W.H.A.L.E. Check impressions just in the last several years. Watch the video above to learn more about how the program works.

Free Resources: Printable Flyer and Social Media Graphic

WHALE Check art

Available statewide as a digital download courtesy of FDOT District Two: Click here to download the W.H.A.L.E. Check as a one-page, printable PDF flyer. This can be distributed at car seat checks, traffic safety events, daycare centers, pediatrician offices, government agencies, and hospitals.

w.h.a.l.e. check program

Click here to download this CPS social media image to help promote the W.H.A.L.E. Check program. Don’t forget to tag us!
@trafficsafetyteam on Facebook and Instagram 
@trafficsafetyfl on Twitter and Pinterest

District Two Community Traffic Safety Teams may click here to order printed W.H.A.L.E. Check flyers online now.


The W.H.A.L.E. Check informational flyer also includes child safety seat advice and guidelines. Here are five safety tips to help prevent injuries in case of a car crash:

  1. WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT: Studies show that if you wear your seat belt, your kids will too.
  2. Follow manufacturer’s instructions: Always check the manual for both your
    car and the child safety seat for proper installation guidelines.
  3. Seat strapped in tight: You should not be able to move the car seat more than one inch
    in any direction at the belt path, and always use the top tether when forward facing.
  4. Chest clip at armpit level & harness snug: Straps should be tight enough
    so that you cannot pinch the fabric of the harness at the shoulders.
  5. Back seat is safest: Children age 13 and under should ride in the back seat.
    Older children no longer need a special seat if their legs bend comfortably at the
    seat’s edge with their back resting flat against the back of the seat.

We follow these American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations and want all children safeguarded in the right car seat:

  • Birth – 12 Months: Babies under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.
  • 1 – 3 Years: Toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat with a harness as long as possible – until they reach the top height or weight limit of the seat, typically around 35 to 45 pounds.
  • 4 – 7 Years: Young children should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they reach the top height or weight limit of the seat – typically between 40 and 60 pounds.
  • 8 – 12 Years: Children should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lies snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt lies snug across the shoulder and chest, not over the neck or face.

Child passenger safety has dramatically evolved over the past decade; however, motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for children 4 years and older. This policy statement provides 4 evidence-based recommendations for best practices in the choice of a child restraint system to optimize safety in passenger vehicles for children from birth through adolescence: (1) rear-facing car safety seats as long as possible; (2) forward-facing car safety seats from the time they outgrow rear-facing seats for most children through at least 4 years of age; (3) belt-positioning booster seats from the time they outgrow forward-facing seats for most children through at least 8 years of age; and (4) lap and shoulder seat belts for all who have outgrown booster seats. In addition, a fifth evidence-based recommendation is for all children younger than 13 years to ride in the rear seats of vehicles. It is important to note that every transition is associated with some decrease in protection; therefore, parents should be encouraged to delay these transitions for as long as possible. 

From the American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Passenger Safety Technical Report

Traffic Safety Bookmarks

Over 20 Years of Bookmarks!

The Northeast Florida Community Traffic Safety Program started developing relationships with local libraries and schools in 1999. Traffic safety tips for kids were shared primarily on bookmarks. This led to activity books, tip cards, and even schoolbook cover wraps. In 2017, we targeted messages toward drivers as well as for children on our bookmarks. In 2021, activity cards were created for libraries with bike, walk, ride, and drive safe education and puzzles like crosswords, mazes, word search, and coloring activities.

While book covers are no longer relevant in today’s digital world, we have seen continued popularity for our bookmarks. You can find traffic safety materials in bookmobiles and neighborhood branches throughout District Two’s 18 county libraries.

This year we will be showcasing a new look for bookmarks covering critical topics on occupant protection, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, and school bus safety. Here’s a sneak peek.

Coming Soon to a Library Near You!

biking traffic safety bookmark
walking traffic safety bookmark
occupant protection traffic safety bookmark
school bus traffic safety bookmark

Previous Traffic Safety Bookmarks

Check out all these cool bookmarks from the past. Feel free to print them out and make your own personal bookmark from these designs! To make a bookmark, print to fit on an 8.5×11 sheet of paper. Then cut around the artwork and fold it in half. They would also make excellent traffic safety tip cards to share.

2022 Double-Sided Activity Bookmarks

FDOT D2 CTSP Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Buckle UP Bookmark
Occupant Protection
FDOT D2 CTSP Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Pedestrian Bookmark
Pedestrian Safety
Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Share the Road Bike Bookmark
Bicyclist Safety
traffic safety school days
School Bus Safety

2019 Double-Sided Bookmarks

FDOT D2 CTSP Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Buckle UP Bookmark
Occupant Protection
FDOT D2 CTSP Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Pedestrian Bookmark
Pedestrian Safety
Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Share the Road Bike Bookmark
Bicyclist Safety
FDOT D2 CTSP Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Focus on Driving Bookmark
Impaired / Distracted

2018 Double-Sided Bookmarks

FDOTD2-Printable Occupant Protections Traffic Safety Bookmarks
Occupant Protection
FDOTD2-Printable Pedestrian Traffic Safety Bookmarks
Pedestrian Safety
FDOTD2-Printable Bike Traffic Safety Bookmarks
Bicyclist Safety
FDOTD2-Printable Traffic Safety Bookmarks
Impaired / Distracted

2017 Double-Sided Bookmarks

FDOT D2 CTST FL Traffic Safety Buckle Up Bookmark
Occupant Protection
FDOT D2 CTST FL Traffic Safety Pedestrian Bookmark
Pedestrian Safety
FDOT D2 CTST FL Traffic Safety Bicycle Bookmark
Bicyclist Safety
FDOT D2 CTST FL Traffic Safety Distracted and Impaired Bookmark
Impaired / Distracted

Blast from the Past Bookmarks

Walk Safe and Ride Safe Preteen traffic safety bookmarks
Teen Walk/Ride Safe
Amazing Safety Kids traffic safety bookmark
Amazing Safety Kids
Walk and Roll traffic safety bookmark
Walk ‘n Roll Safely
Walk and Wheel traffic safety bookmarks
Elementary Children Wheel and Walk Safe
Summer traffic safety rules bookmark
Summertime Safety Rules for Kids
traffic safety rules to and from school bookmark
Safety Rules to and From School

2021 Activity Cards

In addition to bookmarks, we developed a series of traffic safety activity cards. They were distributed to all the libraries in our 18-county district.

Buckle Up Buddy Heart

Sweetheart Craft for Valentine’s Day

Check out our cute Buckle Up Buddy Heart and bring some safety fun into Valentine’s Day. It’s time to get crafty with the kiddos (or for those of us who are just a kid at heart). Don’t be afraid of pink and red, hearts, and even glitter. This is a unique Valentine’s holiday craft with a simple traffic safety message.

Buckle Up Buddy Heart Artwork
Make your own Buckle Up Buddy Heart Valentine!

You and your family or school class can make these easy Buckle Up Buddy Hearts. The arms and legs bounce and jiggle… make us smile and want to giggle while remembering the importance of buckling up!

This is a cute DIY craft for any time of year. Kids can make a Buckle Up Buddy Heart for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or as a birthday card. In addition to being a fun art project, it also sends a positive traffic safety message. Occupant protection is always a primary concern. All drivers and passengers should be properly restrained with a lap and shoulder seat belt, and children should be correctly strapped into the right car seat that fits their size.

Download this free printable Buckle Up Buddy Heart Valentine craft sheet and follow the instructions. 

Buckle Up Buddy Heart – Valentine Craft
Template by Northeast Florida DOT District Two

Community Traffic Safety Team

SUPPLIES:

  • white card stock (or heavy paper)
  • crayons or markers
  • glitter or glitter glue (optional)
  • scissors
  • glue or glue stick
Buckle Up Buddy Heart Activity Card

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Download and print the free template provided above.
  2. Color and decorate the hearts.
  3. Cut out all the pieces.
  4. Fold arms and leg strips like an accordion.
  5. Glue the arms and legs onto the big heart.
  6. Finally, glue the small hearts on to create hands and feet.

You can write a personalized message on the back of your Valentine card. We like, “Be Mine. Be Safe. Be Buckled Up.” Don’t forget to give your special Buckle Up Buddy Heart to someone you love. Or leave it in the car as a reminder to all those you love to wear their seat belt for every car ride.

http://trafficsafetyteam.org/traffic-safety/buckle-up/

Traffic Safety Talk Newsletter

Welcome to our Traffic Safety Talk newsletter – FDOT District Two Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP) news and information update. Each issue includes recent projects, community outreach events, and current safety campaigns. We discuss Traffic Safety Team materials and resources available for members. Additionally, we highlight a Traffic Safety Team “Champion” from Northeast Florida.

Here are digital flipbooks of the most recent newsletters. We have included below the PDF documents for you to view and download current and past editions.

Current Traffic Safety Talk News Update • February 2023:

Traffic Safety Talk – February 2023 PDF file

In this most recent issue, various topics and projects are highlighted. They include:

  • Recognizing team members, engineering concerns, and outreach in 2023.
  • Upcoming CTST meetings.
  • January was Florida’s Move Over awareness month.
  • Can you believe it’s been 25 years of “Recipes for the Road”?
  • Mocktail recipes trending in the New Year.
  • Working with local libraries for over 20 years!
  • Occupant protection and child passenger safety remain a priority.
  • Walt Duffany is a Traffic Safety CHAMPION!

Previous Edition • December 2022:

Staying Positive and Engaged 

The landscape of the FDOT District Two CTSP has changed over recent years, with meetings and events held virtually. However, we continue to expand awareness of traffic safety issues and solve local traffic safety concerns throughout our 18-county district in Northeast Florida.

Our focus is reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our roadways as we move toward the goal of Target Zero. CTSP does this through the 4 E’s and more of traffic safety, which includes: engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency medical services. We connect with team members and community partners throughout the year to share important traffic safety information, resources, and strategies.

Traffic Safety Talk Newsletter PDF files: