Panama City wants to make its roads safer for pedestrians and bike riders. Here's how.

PANAMA CITY — Local law enforcement officials hope the Panama City Police Department's continued participation in a state program will help reduced the number of fatal pedestrian crashes in the area.

According to a press release from the police department, it has responded to 36 fatal crashes since 2021. Of those, 11 involved pedestrians or people on bicycles.

"To help reverse this trend, the Panama City Police Department is continuing (its) participation in the Florida Department of Transportation High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) program aimed at educating motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians on Florida's traffic laws to improve safety on Panama City roads," the release reads.

As part of the department's participation, it will place additional officers on patrol in high-risk areas from July 25 of this year until May 2025. These areas include "specific corridors with a high occurrence of pedestrian and bicycle crashes," according to the release.

"Special attention will be directed toward increasing awareness of the dangerous behaviors that are contributing to serious and fatal injuries at these locations," the release reads.

This includes officers looking out for speeding drivers, as well as those failing to appropriately stop at pedestrian crosswalks, making improper turns or signals and not providing enough space for passing bicyclists.

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The release notes that funding for the program is provided to the department through a contract with the University of North Florida's Institute of Police Technology and Management, which is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. The funding will be used to reimburse overtime hours and special training.

"Whether you are on foot, behind the wheel or on a bike, you have a responsibility to share the road safely," Deputy Chief John Moore of the Panama City Police Department said in the release. "Understanding the rules of the road helps ensure we all arrive at our destination safety and make our streets safer for everyone."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City wants to make its roads safer for pedestrians and bike riders. Here's how.