DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Five presented transportation safety awards and discussed efforts by local governments, transportation organizations, law enforcement, advocacy groups, schools, and FDOT to improve safety on local roadways at the 2nd Annual Central Florida Safety Summit on May 9.

More than 250 people from 70 organizations attended the Safety Summit, representing all nine counties in FDOT District Five, 31 cities and towns, 15 public safety agencies, and the five Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and Transportation Planning Organizations (TPO) serving Central Florida.

“Our common goal is to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways, and we do that by engineering safety features into transportation projects and by educating drivers and pedestrians on how to travel more safely,” said FDOT District Five Safety Administrator Loreen Bobo. “The Safety Strategic Plan builds on FDOT’s Target Zero initiative and many communities’ Vision Zero plans. By aligning our efforts, we are making progress on getting to zero.”

State Rep. Bill Partington was the keynote speaker and State Sen. Tom Wright provided the welcome at the annual event, held this year at Daytona International Speedway. Other speakers shared case studies and best practices centered on the Central Florida Safety Strategic Plan, which guides action steps to develop safer streets and change behaviors.

The winners of the safety awards presented by Bobo and FDOT District Five Secretary John E. Tyler, P.E. were:

• The City of Port Orange received the Community Award for its approach to engaging their community through hosting and recognizing multiple safety messages and events throughout the year.
• The Palm Bay Police Department received the Public Safety Award for law enforcement officers’ work in keeping everyone safe on our roadways through enforcement, responding to crashes, and interacting with the public.
• Brenda Urias, co-owner of Bicikleta Bike Shop in Sanford and founder of Sanford Tours & Experiences, and board member of Bike/Walk Central Florida, won the Individual Award for her work in fostering a culture of hospitality and inclusivity in the cycling community.  
• The Ocala Marion Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) received the Outreach Award for its Safety Matters initiative and video series, a community-driven effort to promote roadway safety across our county.
• The Children’s Safety Village of Central Florida in Orlando won the Partner Award for its work in preventing children injuries and fatalities through lifesaving education and first-hand experience.
• Orange County won the Project Award for the University of Central Florida (UCF) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project, which made several improvements to create a safer infrastructure for all users including signalized mid-block crosswalks, upgraded LED roadway lighting, and a 10-foot-wide pedestrian/bike path.

The work of the Central Florida Safety Strategic Plan is guided by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from counties, cities, MPOs and TPOs. Progress and resources are shared through the FDOT District Five Office of Safety website at fdot.gov/D5Safety.