Tampa push to reduce pedestrian fatalities off to a slow start

TAMPA — Under the watchful eyes of several police officers, downtown Tampa crosswalks were quiet Tuesday morning as police sought to reduce pedestrian fatalities by citing drivers and warning jaywalkers who violated crosswalk laws.

Police said 70 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents happen with people traversing where they shouldn't.

"People don't want to wait," said Officer Jim Moody, standing by a crosswalk as the operation began. "They're always in a hurry."

But as cops on motorcycles staked out corners along W Kennedy Boulevard, most people seemed to be following the rules.

At Kennedy and N Boulevard, where two University of Tampa students were hit by a car last month, just one or two pedestrians were stopped as they crossed the road midblock.

Moody handed out warning cards reminding pedestrians of Florida statutes ordering them to obey traffic signals and crosswalk rules.

"Oh, I didn't know that," said one man after scurrying across Kennedy between cars stopped at a red light.

Officers planned to continue the operation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. It's not yet known how many citations and warnings were issued. Officers will be back Wednesday.