Residents want action taken to curb deadly crashes on Orange County roads

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County said it doesn’t have what it needs right now to solve serious and often deadly traffic issues.

During a four-year span, the county said 335 people have been killed in crashes, with hundreds more seriously hurt.

Drivers and residents told Channel 9 that they are fed up and want action.

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“I try not to drive at night as much as possible because folks are doing wheelies in the middle of the street,” said neighbor Latanya Nichols.

On Friday, an 80-year-old was hit and killed crossing North Pine Hills Road.

“We’ve heard of these plans year after year after year… traffic safety studies… what’s happening?” Nichols said.

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In October, Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore’s office told Channel 9 it was tackling the issue with the Vision Zero Plan.

Its aim is to get rid of all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2040.

“The big problem in all of this, though, is always money,” Moore said. “Some of these things are going to take longer.”

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“We’re not seeing the actions. We need things to be looked at expeditiously,” Nichols said.

Moore told Channel 9 FDOT is currently working on a $5 million project for Silver Star Road to make it more pedestrian-friendly including raised crosswalks and more lighting.

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