Critical Role in Community Engagement

Posted on 03/21/2023 by Traffic Safety Team

“Bringing you home safely” has been the District Two Community Traffic Safety Program tagline for 26 years. It continues to be our motto and supports our belief that we are ground zero for Target Zero! Our Traffic Safety Teams play a critical role in community engagement throughout Northeast Florida.

FDOT Secretary, Jared Perdue, stated in his Oct 28, 2022, speech at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Annual Meeting in Orlando, “Communities are our number one priority. Our theme (FDOT) must be community-centric as we are working towards the future.” The Community Traffic Safety Program plays a critical role in the Department’s future and connection to our local communities and our commitment to safety and Target Zero.

Take a moment to hear Perdue’s community engagement remarks in the video below.

“How do we, as state DOTs, continue to deliver infrastructure and be successful? It is about connecting the dots between what we do to every community we serve,” he explained.

“They desire this engagement, even for something as simple as resurfacing roads,” Perdue pointed out. “If we build coalitions of local support around them, we’ll see the fruits of that labor. We’re also challenging our employees to re-engage with the communities where they live and work, where they reside with friends and families; not just serving them but working more in partnership with them.”

Community Must be Priority Number One

You can learn more about the critical role of community engagement. The history of Northeast Florida’s Community Traffic Safety Teams began in 1994 and has been active ever since. Our members are involved in finding and solving engineering and roadway issues locally. Click here to submit a traffic safety concern. Below is a link to view Perdue’s entire speech and article by the AASHTO Journal.

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Tips

Posted on 03/06/2023 by Traffic Safety Team

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!

bike safety tip — *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.

Traffic Safety Bookmarks

Posted on 02/14/2023 by Traffic Safety Team

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!

occupant protection 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 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.

Ride Safe Activity Cards

Walk Safe Activity Card

Bike Safe Activity Card

Drive Safe Activity Cards

Buckle Up Buddy Heart

Posted on 02/08/2023 by Traffic Safety Team

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

DIRECTIONS:

Download and print the free template provided above.
Color and decorate the hearts.
Cut out all the pieces.
Fold arms and leg strips like an accordion.
Glue the arms and legs onto the big heart.
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.

Child Passenger Safety

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

Move Over or Slow Down

Posted on 12/28/2022 by Traffic Safety Team

Every January is Move Over Month in Florida. The Northeast Florida Department of Transportation District Two Community Traffic Safety Program reminds all motorists to obey Florida’s Move Over Law. This law helps to protect those who protect us while they provide essential services in a dangerous environment – the side of the road.

Florida law requires motorists to move over a lane — when they can safely do so — for the following:

Stopped law enforcement.
Emergency responders.
Sanitation and utility service vehicles.
Tow trucks or wreckers.
Maintenance or construction vehicles with displayed warning lights without advanced signs or channelizing devices.
NEW: Disabled vehicles. (effective 1/1/2024)

Move Over or Slow Down — *Move over or slow down for stopped emergency and public service vehicles*

*Slow down if unable to move over for stopped emergency and public service vehicles*

*Pull over for moving emergency vehicles*

New Requirements Added to the Move Over Law – Effective January 1, 2024

Florida lawmakers take action to enhance protection for all roadway users. The expanded Move Over law adds three scenarios to Florida’s current law. Motorists will be required to move over if:

There is a disabled motor vehicle that is stopped and displaying warning lights or hazard lights.
If a vehicle is stopped and is using emergency flares or posting emergency signage.
When a vehicle is stopped and one or more persons are visibly present.

Florida’s Move Over Law Expanded in 2021

In addition to first responders, this law also applies to other public servants and roadside workers. Drivers typically know to move over for law enforcement, fire rescue, and emergency medical services. Many still do not realize the law requires them to move over for sanitation, utility, wrecker, maintenance, and construction vehicles. Basically, if motorists see a service vehicle on the side of the road with flashing warning lights, they need to change lanes or slow down.

Florida Law, Move Over and Slow Down for Stopped Emergency and Service Vehicles

The Florida requirement expanding to cover these additional roadway service providers was enacted in July 2021. Preliminary data showed that in 2021, there were 191 crashes and more than 14,000 citations issued for motorists failing to move over in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Obeying Florida’s Move Over law will help ensure all personnel working along our roadways get home safely.

Move Over

As soon as it is safe to do so, vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle, sanitation vehicle, utility service vehicle, wrecker, or road and bridge maintenance or construction vehicle when driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes.
Always signal your intention to change lanes.
Be prepared to allow those who are attempting to move over into the next lane.

Slow Down

If moving over cannot be safely accomplished, slow down to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 mph or greater; or travel at 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less when driving on a two-lane road.

Violating the Move Over law puts you and others at risk, and a citation will result in a fine, fees, and points on your driving record. To read the Florida Statue, see 316.126 – Operation of vehicles and actions of pedestrians on approach of an authorized emergency, sanitation, or utility service vehicle.

Pull Over for Moving Emergency Vehicles

Motorists should always remember to pay attention while driving and pull over for emergency vehicles approaching from behind. Help protect moving emergency vehicles by:

Yielding the right of way
Moving to the closest, safety edge of roadway
Clearing intersection
Remaining stopped until the vehicle has passed