A Delray Beach veteran says he has nearly been struck by drivers nine times in a single month while trying to cross the road near his home, and he wants a red-light camera installed to stop the behavior.
Rolando Fernandez, a Marine Corps veteran, lives at the Bridge View community on Lake Ida and Petal roads. He said drivers often fail to stop for red lights, and some have treated him with hostility. He said one driver gave him the middle finger, and another stopped at a light, rolled down a window and told him not to have a heart attack.
Fernandez said the close calls have changed how he gets around. He has been reluctant to take his service dog, Scout, on daily walks, and he said elderly neighbors who walk near the lake also cross in the street because they expect traffic to keep moving.
He believes a camera installed by the Florida Department of Transportation would make drivers think twice. He said a ticket costing $200 and two points on a license would get people’s attention. Fernandez said he contacted the Florida Department of Transportation and the office of U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel but did not get answers, so he turned to WPTV.
WPTV said it has reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation about whether it can help and what steps would be needed. No response was included in the report.
