Moskowitz, Wasserman Schultz, County Officials Announce $5 Million Grant to Help Prevent Pedestrian Deaths by Car in Broward County

CORAL SPRINGS, FL – Today, Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida), and local county officials announced the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization will receive a $5 million grant to help prevent pedestrian deaths by car. As it currently stands, Florida and Broward County are one of the most dangerous locations in the country for pedestrians.

These Federal funds, which are provided from the U.S. Department of Transportation, will allow the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization and Broward County to develop county-wide implementation strategies to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries with an emphasis on underserved communities. 

“Just last week, a man in Pompano Beach was struck and hit by a car while walking down North Riverside Drive. From 2016 to 2020, over three thousand Floridians were killed by cars. This problem of pedestrians being struck and killed by cars is real and must be addressed immediately,” said Moskowitz. “Today, we are taking the first step to help keep our communities safe for all pedestrians.”

“The fruits of our labor from the last Congress continues to benefit South Florida and its motorists,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “These federal dollars were established by President Biden’s historic infrastructure law, and I am proud to have helped secure a significant slice of this federal funding pie to help Broward County and all South Florida travelers to more safely and swiftly move around our road network.”

Greg Stuart, executive director of the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, “This federal grant is a major win for the people of Broward County especially those who drive, use public transportation, bike or walk.  As our population grows, safety remains a top priority and the Broward MPO will collaborate with county and city leaders to identify roadway and pedestrian area improvements.”

“Coral Springs is the 15th largest city in the State of Florida, with a population of more than 134,000 residents. Larger populations result in traffic congestion and increase the risk of collisions, which is why we fully support the Broward MPO and Broward County plans to develop a safety plan that reduces traffic fatalities through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant program,” said Mayor Scott Brook, Coral Springs. 

“Thank you, Congressman Moskowitz and Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, for your work to make our community safer. The goal of Vision Zero is to decrease roadway crashes to result in zero deaths.  People going to work, to school, or even just enjoying our beautiful weather must enjoy the same level of safety and reliability as those in a car. The time has come to focus on safety issues and make Broward not just a place to live, but a place to thrive,” said Lamar Fisher, Lamar Fisher, Mayor of Broward County quote

More particularly, the Action Plan will yield three main deliverables: data management, policy recommendations, and a prioritized list of capital improvement projects so the county government can keep local roads and streets safe. Once the action plan is complete, the county will then move to announce the exact projects they will begin to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.