MIAMI – Jaywalkers are becoming a problem in South Florida.
"We have a lot of people who are being hurt," said Luis Taborda with the City of Miami Police Department's Traffic Homicide unit. "Pedestrians crossing mid-block. They're under the impression that vehicles have to stop, but here the vehicles have the right away."
Taborda said the intersection of Northwest 79th Street and Miami Avenue is one of the worst spots for jaywalking.
"They're taking a chance with their lives," said Mary Scott, a pedestrian.
Taborda said that 50 percent of traffic fatalities are pedestrian-related.
In 2012 in the State of Florida, there were 18,749 crashes involving pedestrians, according to state records. Of 593 fatalities, 72 were in Broward County and 56 were in Miami-Dade County.
Fines for jaywalking vary. Most are about $150.