FSU police launch "Heads Up" initiative for pedestrian safety

The Florida State University Police Department is launching a pedestrian safety campaign called "Heads Up" that looks to encourage those on campus to pay attention while walking and driving.

As part of the campaign, FSUPD officers will hands out fliers and offer safety tips during the first week of classes in an effort to promote a safer environment.

During the Summer, they also took time to educate students about the importance of pedestrian safety at orientation and Panhellenic recruitment.

"The goal of this campaign is to remind people to pay attention ... (because) we want pedestrians and drivers, especially students, to engage with each other and make eye contact," Interim Deputy FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower said in a statement.

According to a press release, the safety initiative aligns with efforts by the university and the city of Tallahassee to create and design "a safer place for pedestrians on and surrounding campus."

The initiative comes after FSU student Elizabeth "Ellie" Sims died last April in a hit-and-run at a crosswalk at the intersection of Pensacola and Lorene streets.

In response, City Commissioner Jack Porter held a press conference in May in which she called for the city and county governments to do more for pedestrian safety.

Amy Hecht, the university's vice president of student affairs, said FSU "has faced its share of challenges" but that she has seen "our students and community come together to support each other."

FSUPD will also collaborate with the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Government Association to take the campaign to social media.

New safety measures installed on campus

FSU worked with city engineers to install new street features to force drivers to slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.

The safety measures include speed tables, which are flatter and wider versions of a speed bump, and raised crosswalks.

Here is where they've been installed:

• Pensacola Street : Four speed tables and three raised crosswalks were installed between Macomb Street and Varsity Drive. A mobile speed detection trailer has been placed between Macomb and Copeland streets.
• St. Augustine Street : Six speed tables and one raised crosswalk were installed between Varsity Drive and Copeland Street.
• Jefferson Street : Two speed tables were installed on either side of the Lorene Street crosswalk.
• Elsewhere around campus : 11 solar-paneled speed limit signs and a mobile speed detection trailer will be installed at different locations throughout campus early this fall.

Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU police launch "Heads Up" initiative for pedestrian safety