The last few years have been especially dangerous in Orange County streets, according to traffic officials.
Pedestrian fatalities have reached record levels, with 49 people dying in 2016. This year the county has already exceeded that number, 47 people have been killed. Orange County has the third highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country, Orlando Police Department public information officer Michelle Guido said.
The bleak numbers have forced local agencies to be proactive, pointing out dangerous pedestrian crossings in the Operation Best Foot Forward program, a high-visibility, dual-enforcement action to remind drivers about Florida’s driver yield law.
The "crosswalk crackdown" sends plain clothed officers to walk across marked intersections to monitor if drivers stop for pedestrians. Those who don't yield or stop face a warning or $164 ticket.
"If we can come out here and save one life, it's worth it," Orlando Police Sgt. John Keefe said.
Orlando police officers spent time at several locations Wednesday, including at Conway Road, Lake Underhill and downtown near the library. In the end, 50 vehicles were stopped, 37 received citations, 13 got warnings.