Sarasota Police Target Pedestrian and Bike Crash Hot Spots
A High Visibility Campaign focuses on dangerous U.S. 301 locations identified by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Sarasota Police Department is conducting educational enforcement at pedestrian and bicycle crash hot spots identified by the Florida Department of Transportation. Officers stop pedestrians and bicyclists to explain safe behavior and may issue warnings or citations.
Why it matters
Locations are chosen based on pedestrian, bicycle, fatal, and serious injury crashes, and the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard shows more than 120 pedestrian and bicyclist accidents in Sarasota this year. Common dangerous behaviors observed include bicyclists riding against traffic, speeding on sidewalks, and pedestrians darting across traffic.
The enforcement program runs until May 1 and is conducted on a yearly basis, with officers able to issue warnings or citations at the ten FDOT-designated locations. The source does not report any charges filed or outcomes from citations issued so far.
The players
Sarasota Police Department
The municipal law enforcement agency of Sarasota, Florida, responsible for local policing and traffic enforcement.
Florida Department of Transportation
The state agency that designates the most dangerous pedestrian and bicycle crash locations and supplies the crash data used to select campaign sites.
The details
Officers are assigned to FDOT hot spots using state crash data and speak with pedestrians and bicyclists about safe behavior. Vehicle speeds of 45, 50, and 60 mph are cited on U.S. 301, where cyclists travel at about 15 mph and some ride on sidewalks at speeds described as unsafe at 30 mph.
Timeline
This year: More than 120 pedestrian and bicyclist accidents recorded in Sarasota.
Yearly: High Visibility Campaign conducted each year.
May 1: Enforcement program ends.
Seasonal Patterns
Sarasota's pedestrian and bicyclist crash figures are tracked through the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard, which feeds FDOT's designation of hot spots along corridors like U.S. 301. The source does not compare this year's totals against prior-year averages.
Pedestrians should use crosswalks rather than darting across traffic, and cyclists should ride with traffic and avoid sidewalks along U.S. 301. Drivers should expect officers stationed at designated hot spots through May 1.
The takeaway
Simple habits such as using crosswalks, riding with traffic, and keeping bicycles off sidewalks address the most common crash risks identified at these locations. Rider hopes the campaign can prompt better bicycle infrastructure on U.S. 301.
What happens next
The enforcement program runs until May 1, when the campaign concludes for the current cycle.
Further reading
For more on local policing efforts, see Law Enforcement coverage in Sarasota.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Spectrum News Bay News 9.
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