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Police focus on bicyclist and pedestrian safety

Posted at 5:16 PM, May 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-09 17:16:31-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Most of us have seen people darting out into the street and some of us have done it ourselves. Now crossing the street against the right of way could cost you.

West Palm Beach Police Officer Ryan Secord explained not everyone will be ticketed. "It's our discretion at this point whether to cite individuals for violating the pedestrian statutes or bicycle statutes. And it's not just the pedestrians or the bicyclists, it's the driver that are in the area too."

For the next few weeks officers will be out in certain areas based on traffic statistics, areas like Clematis Street. And they're looking for a few specific infractions.

"If you are not going to cross in a crosswalk make sure you're doing it at a 90 degree angle," Officer Secord said. "It's the shortest route that's why it's 90 degrees. Make sure that you're not jumping out from in between cars, in front of vehicles, making them slam on their brakes."

Same rules apply to bicyclists. Officers are keeping an eye on bikers to see if they're following the rules of the road. If not they could get a citation. And a citation isn't cheap. "The citation is a $64 and 50 cent citation."