By Kyle Coppola
Lake County Takes a Stand for Pedestrian Safety
Lake County is the latest Central Florida community to join the Best Foot Forward Pedestrian Safety Coalition, formalizing its commitment to safer, more walkable streets for everyone who walks, bikes, or rolls.
On July 22, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution of support for the program, marking a major step forward in expanding the reach of the region’s largest grassroots pedestrian safety initiative.
Known for its charming downtowns and scenic trails, Lake County has long encouraged active lifestyles. Now, through the BFF program, local agencies and law enforcement are coming together with a shared strategy to make active transportation safer and more accessible.
Lake County’s decision to join the Best Foot Forward coalition comes at a crucial moment.
Between 2022 and 2024, nearly 800 crashes involving people walking or biking were reported on Lake County roads. These crashes resulted in over 90 serious injuries and 40 tragic fatalities:
- 2022: 252 crashes | 29 serious injuries | 14 fatalities
- 2023: 270 crashes | 31 serious injuries | 14 fatalities
- 2024: 275 crashes | 30 serious injuries | 12 fatalities
Source: Signal 4 Analytics
These are not just numbers. They represent real people: students, parents, seniors, and neighbors simply trying to get where they need to go safely.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has identified Lake County as one of the top 25 most dangerous counties in the state for pedestrians and bicyclists, underscoring the urgency behind this effort.
By joining the BFF coalition, Lake County is taking a proactive, coordinated approach to reversing these trends. The program’s focus on education, engineering, and enforcement provides a strong framework for identifying dangerous areas, raising awareness, and holding drivers accountable.
Lake County wasted no time putting its commitment into action.
As part of this year’s Back to School Operation Best Foot Forward, three law enforcement agencies are stepping up to conduct high-visibility crosswalk enforcement at locations carefully selected for their close proximity to schools where children and families are most likely to cross.
- Mount Dora Police Department returns for its second operation, revisiting the E 5th Ave & Tremain St crosswalk (64% driver yield rate).
- Eustis Police Department is participating for the first time at N Bay St & E Magnolia Ave (46% yield rate).
- Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department is also joining for the first time, targeting SR-19 & N. Central Ave, which recorded a 28% yield rate during initial observations.
These operations serve a dual purpose: they educate drivers about Florida’s driver yield law, and they reinforce that stopping for people in crosswalks is not only the law but a critical component of road safety. Failing to yield doesn’t just endanger lives, it carries real consequences.
Drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks risk a $164 citation and 3 points on their license.
By raising awareness and enforcing the law, these agencies are helping to create a safer environment for the community’s most vulnerable road users, especially students returning to school.
Monitoring Key Crosswalks for Long-Term Progress
Earlier this year, eight crosswalks were selected for monitoring as part of Lake County’s entry into the BFF program. These locations span a mix of residential neighborhoods and busier corridors and were chosen based on factors like proximity to schools, parks, and community centers.
In addition to the three crosswalks included in the OBFF operation, here are several others being tracked:
| Jurisdiction | Crosswalk | Driver Yield Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Clermont | Old Hwy 50 W & N Greater Hills Blvd | 34% |
| Groveland | W Broad St & N Lake Ave | 50% |
| Lake County | County Rd 455 & S Lake Trail | 41% |
| Lake County | Deland Rd & Bates Ave | 19% |
| Minneola | Mohawk Rd & Old Hwy 50 | 48% |
These crosswalks and their driver yield rates help establish a baseline for progress and guide future education, enforcement, and engineering improvements.
Lake County’s participation marks a shift toward data-driven, prevention-focused safety efforts. Through the BFF program, local partners are working together to:
- Monitor driver behavior at high-risk crosswalks
- Share data with public works and engineering teams
- Educate the public through outreach and media campaigns
- Recommend infrastructure improvements that prioritize pedestrian safety
Rather than reacting to tragedies, Lake County is investing in strategies that protect people before crashes happen.
Lake County’s entry into the coalition represents more than just a new partner; it reflects a growing regional momentum to create streets where people of all ages and abilities can move safely and confidently.
With the support of local law enforcement, public officials, and engaged residents, Lake County is setting a positive example of how towns and communities can lead in traffic safety innovation.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
