SARASOTA, Fla. — The Sarasota Police Department shared important safety tips and road closure information ahead of this year's Memorial Day Parade.
The annual event will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27, on Main Street and Osprey Avenue, police said in a news release. Several tow-away zones and street closures will be in place for the following locations:
- 8:45 a.m. – noon – Gulfstream Avenue closed from Cocoanut Avenue to McAnsh Square
- 6 a.m. – noon – Main Street closed from U.S. 301 to Gulfstream Avenue
- 8:45 a.m. – noon – Links Avenue closed from Fruitville Road to Ringling Boulevard
- 8:45 a.m. – noon – Osprey Avenue closed from Fruitville Road to Ringling Boulevard
According to the police department, in 2022, the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration reported more than 11,000 unbuckled passenger deaths in the United States. That's why Sarasota officers will enforce strict rules on citations regarding seat belts.
In Sarasota, the maximum penalty for not wearing a seatbelt is $116, according to law enforcement.
Officers provided the following safety tips to Sarasota citizens ahead of this year's parade:
- Reduce your speed. More speeding-related fatalities happen during the summer months than at any other time of the year.
- Refrain from using cell phones or devices when driving.
- Designate a sober driver or take alternate transportation if you consume alcohol.
- Drive defensively and exercise caution, especially during bad weather.
More information on the annual Memorial Day parade in Sarasota can be found here.
