Tuesday's death of a teenager walking to school is adding even more importance to an already planned event.
Wednesday is International Walk to School Day.
Police officers - on foot, bicycle, in cars and on motorcycles - are helping students get safely to school today. Officers, along with parents, teachers and students are at elementary schools today to safely escort children to school.
The event is part of an effort to make children and adults aware of safety measures they should take during walks near busy roads and intersections.
Florida is ranked as the deadliest state for pedestrians and cyclists. Tampa Bay ranks as the second deadliest community for pedestrians and cyclists in the state.
On Tuesday, 17-year-old Alexis Miranda was struck and killed by a car while attempting to cross Busch Boulevard near Chamberlain High in Tampa. Miranda was not using a crosswalk.
Today's event is a joint effort by students, parents, law enforcement and community leaders.
The now global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to schools.
"It’s sad how many people do it (illegally cross streets), because it’s illegal and they try to do that so we can be safe," pedestrian Clarisha Montgomery said Tuesday in Tampa. "People should really try, actually, to walk across the street using the signs they put up. Push the button, wait till the light comes on."
Officials with the Florida Department of Transportation say getting people to use crosswalks and practice safe habits is a big challenge.
The best way to improve safety is to teach children good habits while they're young and International Walk to School Day plays a big part in that.