Jacksonville Families Call for Safer Streets Following Student Deaths
During National Pedestrian Safety Month, Local Parents and Advocates Demand Change After Tragic Crashes Near Schools
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, but in Jacksonville, it arrives with a heavy weight. In recent weeks, students walking near local schools have been struck and killed, reigniting urgent conversations about safety in school zones. The grief in these neighborhoods runs deep, and so does the frustration.
These weren’t isolated tragedies. They’re part of a larger, ongoing problem that families in Duval County know all too well: unsafe streets, poorly marked crosswalks, and speeding drivers near schools and residential areas often lead to devastating pedestrian crashes.
According to crash data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been 349 pedestrian crashes resulting in 304 injuries and 27 fatalities in Duval County so far in 2025.
Parents are now speaking out, demanding more than condolences. They want action.
Tragedies Near Schools Spark Urgent Town Hall
The recent deaths prompted the City of Jacksonville to host a town hall meeting focused on pedestrian safety. According to a report by Resident News, dozens of community members attended. Many were angry. Others were fearful. All were seeking answers.
City officials acknowledged that more needs to be done. But for families, the pain is still fresh, and promises without timelines offer little comfort.
A Dangerous Pattern: Crashes Near School Zones
Florida ranks among the deadliest states for pedestrians, and Jacksonville consistently lands near the top of that list. School zones, in particular, have become high-risk areas. Despite posted speed limits and signage, enforcement is inconsistent, and many areas lack basic protections like speed humps, pedestrian beacons, or raised crosswalks.
According to Resident News, the town hall was spurred by three separate pedestrian crashes in the first week of the 2025–26 school year, one of which claimed the life of a young teenager. Since then, three more students have been struck. These six new cases add to a disturbing trend: 43 students were hit by vehicles during the 2024–25 school year, with three of those crashes resulting in fatalities.
What makes these losses even harder to bear is the preventability. In many cases, a driver is going too fast, distracted by a phone, or fails to yield—often in places where children walk every day.
At Pajcic & Pajcic, our Jacksonville pedestrian accident lawyers have seen these stories unfold far too often. Families are often left reeling after a loved one was hit in a crosswalk or struck just steps from their school. In every case like this, it's critical not just to pursue justice but to shine a light on the changes needed to protect others.
What Safer Streets Could Look Like
Community advocates have long pushed for better infrastructure around schools. Some of the solutions safety experts have called for include:
- Flashing Pedestrian Beacons: Signalized crosswalks that alert drivers to stop when a pedestrian is present.
- Raised Crosswalks: Speed-reducing features that increase visibility and slow traffic.
- Dedicated Crossing Guards: Especially during school arrival and dismissal times.
- Traffic Calming Measures: Speed humps, curb extensions, and road diets to naturally slow vehicles near schools.
- More Consistent Enforcement: Increased patrols and stricter penalties for drivers who ignore school zone rules.
Jacksonville has made strides in recent years, including installing some upgraded crosswalk signals and launching safety campaigns. But as these recent crashes show, there’s more work to do, and it needs to happen faster.
Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable
While long-term infrastructure changes are critical, legal accountability also plays a key role. When a pedestrian (especially a child) is hit by a driver who was distracted, speeding, or careless, that driver must be held responsible.
Our firm has handled numerous pedestrian accident cases in Jacksonville, including those involving children. We investigate thoroughly, work with local experts, and pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost income, long-term care, and emotional suffering.
We also fight to make sure the broader issues get attention. Many of our cases have led to policy reviews, roadway changes, or safety studies, because accountability shouldn’t stop at one driver. It should lead to systemic change.
National Pedestrian Safety Month Is More Than a Campaign
At Pajcic & Pajcic, our firm is rooted in Jacksonville. We know the roads where these crashes happen. We pass the same schools. We walk these crosswalks. And when families come to us after a devastating pedestrian accident, we fight like it was one of our own.
We understand the grief, the anger, the uncertainty. And we believe every family deserves both answers and accountability. Whether it's helping a grieving parent file a wrongful death claim or pushing city officials to fix a dangerous intersection, we're here for the long haul.
This October, as Jacksonville mourns the students we've lost, let's make sure their stories lead to change, not just headlines. It’s time to reimagine what safety looks like in our neighborhoods. Slower speeds. Better infrastructure. More driver accountability. And a city that listens to its families before another child is taken too soon.
If your family has been impacted by a pedestrian accident in Jacksonville, we’re here to help you take the next step. Whether you need legal guidance, want to understand your rights, or are ready to take action—we’re ready to listen, and we’re ready to fight. Contact Pajcic & Pajcic today for a free consultation.
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