JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Pedestrian-involved collisions have claimed many lives in Jacksonville since the beginning of this year.
Less than a week ago, a vehicle hit and killed pedestrian walking down University Boulevard
Since the start of 2023, there have been 50 reported pedestrian-involved crashes in Duval County. That’s according to a chart on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. However, that number hasn’t been updated since Feb. 15.
January and February combined saw a total of 74 pedestrian crashes.
Master Sgt. Dylan Bryan said they don’t know for sure if there’s been an increase in pedestrian-involved collisions until an FHP analyst can take a look.
“We’re seeing far too many collisions occurring with motor vehicles versus bicyclists or even pedestrians on the sides of the roadways or even in the roadways,” Bryan said. “So it’s something that we want to focus on because unfortunately most of those either end up in serious bodily injury crashes or being fatalities on our roadways.”
Another pedestrian was killed by a vehicle on Arlington Expressway Sunday.
Bryan said the expressway is limited access, and the pedestrian was not allowed to be there.
“Their method of travel is either by foot or bicycle or motor scooter, whatever the case is, but they still need to understand and of course follow the pedestrian laws, the traffic laws of our state that way they can get from point A to point B safely,” Bryan said.
Bryan said pedestrians should wear reflective clothing and use lighting devices, especially at night, but he said drivers need to do their part to keep those traveling on foot safe, too.
“We got to reduce the number of distractions that we have, whether it’s texting and driving, cell phone use, food and beverage, passenger distractions,” Bryan said. “You need to focus on the roadway, so your eyes are on the road, hands are on the wheel and your mind is on driving.”
First Coast News has requested information about how the number of pedestrian crashes reported last January and February compares to this year from FHP and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.