The Gainesville Police Department ticketed 70 drivers that did not stop or yield for pedestrians at crosswalks Monday at Southwest 62nd Street.
GPD spokesman Ben Tobias said recent crashes involving drivers and pedestrians at the street caused the department and city to form a Pedestrian High Visibility Enforcement Program.
"We actually had two in one night," he said. "We're trying to wake up the citizens, and let them know that they do have certain rights and responsibilities when it comes to crosswalks. Both drivers and pedestrians."
The program is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. It aims to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries by implementing enforcement campaigns targeting vehicles not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks and pedestrian violations, according to a GDP press release.
GPD conducted its first detail Friday and 54 citations were issued within three hours. Tobias said students and citizens thanked officers for ensuring the crosswalk was being used correctly.
All locations selected by the GDP have a high frequency of traffic crashes and injuries.
"Our goal this year is to have zero fatalities," he said. "That's a pretty lofty goal, but we believe that by utilizing details such as this we can achieve it."
Jenna Lyons wrote this story online.