Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale sees ticket increase
After two pedestrians were hit by cars and killed in March, police officers have cracked down on traffic violations along Las Olas Boulevard and handed out more than 400 tickets to drivers and walkers.
Speeding tickets and failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and street corners were the most popular Florida traffic violations cited. Pedestrians have also been cited for jaywalking.
On top of the increase in traffic tickets issued, the city is considering lowering the speed limit and potentially installing red light cameras.
Police have been instructed to make themselves highly visible and to perform traffic stops and issue traffic citations to all violators on Las Olas. Officers were ordered to pay particular attention to cars not stopping at occupied crosswalks, but were told to look out for pedestrians breaking the law as well.
State law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections, regardless of whether they are marked or not. That includes brick-paved crosswalks like those along Las Olas. On the other hand, pedestrians must obey “Don’t Walk” signs and are prohibited from crossing streets between intersections.
The number of tickets is up substantially. The Police Department motorcycle unit supplemented the work of regular patrol officers. The number of tickets issued are up more than 5X the average of 60 tickets per month issued there last year.
If you have any questions about a ticket issued on Las Olas, please contact a Broward County traffic ticket attorney. Elsewhere in Florida feel free to contact other Florida traffic ticket lawyers.
