AGENDA ITEM
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Transportation Safety Discussion
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PRESENTERS
Ryan Kordek, Polk TPO will introduce this item. Presentations will be made by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Polk County School Board Superintendent Frederick Heid
SUMMARY
Transportation safety is a growing challenge in Polk County. A review of recent traffic crash data ranks Polk County as one of the worst counties in the Florida in terms of fatalities and severe injuries on its roadways. In the last five years (2019 - 2023), Polk County is averaging 147 fatalities and 435 severe injuries per year. During this period, 2021 had the highest number of fatalities with 183. Bicycle and pedestrian crashes have been increasing in recent years as well. Between 2014 and 2019 Polk County had an average of 23 fatalities and 56 severe injuries per year. These numbers have increased to 34 fatalities and 52 severe injuries per year between 2019 and 2023. 2023 had the high number of bicycle and pedestrian fatalities with 40.
The Polk TPO, along with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have a shared vision of Zero (0) fatalities and severe injuries on Polk County's Roads. Both agencies have undertaken a number of steps to improve the safety on Polk County's roads in recent years. In particular, Polk County was recently awarded a Safe Streets for All Grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to prepare a comprehensive Vision Zero Action Plan for Polk County and its municipalities. The Vision Zero Action Plan will identify safety challenges and solutions to address these challenges. This Plan will be kicking off early next year. An important component of the Vision Zero Action Plan will be the participation of Polk County's law enforcement agencies, and the Polk County School Board as enforcement and education solutions will both be important components of the Vision Zero Action Plan. At this morning's TPO Board meeting there will be an opportunity to hear from the Polk C...
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