St. Johns County Adopts Best Foot Forward Pedestrian Safety Initiative

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners formalized their commitment on July 21, 2026, by issuing a proclamation to support the program’s mission. Originally launched in the Orlando area to combat high pedestrian fatality rates, the initiative now operates in 11 Florida counties. It utilizes a multi-pronged approach that pairs high-visibility traffic enforcement with infrastructure evaluations to ensure motorists yield to pedestrians as required by state law.

Sheriff Robert Hardwick emphasized the importance of the partnership, noting that his department intends to focus on educating the public about right-of-way laws while maintaining rigorous traffic enforcement. As part of the initial rollout, organizers have already begun gathering baseline data at local crosswalks. This information will dictate future engineering adjustments and targeted safety campaigns. Program Director Vince Dyer stated that the expansion reflects a growing regional consensus on the necessity of prioritizing walking and biking safety as the county continues to experience rapid population growth.