ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orlando is tired of its reputation as one of the most dangerous cities in the country for pedestrians, and leaders are hoping "Operation Best Foot Forward" can help cut pedestrian injuries and deaths by 10 percent.
The new initiative will start with officers ticketing pedestrians who cross streets outside of crosswalks. Officers will also be ticketing drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians crossing in the crosswalks.
Along the Orange Blossom Trail on Wednesday, it took WFTV cameras only a few minutes to see a jaywalker cross the road. The man hesitates to cross in the same spot where a 9-year-old died two months ago as she crossed the street with her mother.
Authorities said 780 people a year are struck, with about 45 dying from their injuries.
Best Foot Forward wants to cut that number down over the next five years.
Officials will pay close attention to Orlando's three deadliest streets, which include Semoran Boulevard in Baldwin Park, Edgewater Drive in Fairview Shores and Oak Ridge Road near Pine Castle.
Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk will receive a $164 ticket, and three points will be added to the driver's license.
"We are we are going to issue tickets, uniform crime tickets, to jaywalkers as well," said Sheriff Jerry Demings.
The jaywalking fines will be $63.
At first, police and deputies will issue warning tickets to drivers and pedestrians who don't follow the crosswalk rules. Tickets carrying a fine will be issued starting in August.