Vote Delayed on Longwood Red Light Cameras

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on June 24, 2011

Longwood city officials have voted to delay a decision on installing four red light cameras until July 18. The vote came after Deputy Mayor Bob Cortes requested that city commissioners delay making a decision on the four planned photo-enforcement devices. Cortes voiced his concern regarding a proposed contract that Longwood would have to sign with Sensys America, a red light camera manufacturer. He said that the city would have to pay a $40,000 early termination fee for each camera installed inside the city limits as his primary reason for caution.

“If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do this right,” Cortes said.

If the city commissioners vote in July to approve the contract and install the cameras, they will join several other central Florida cities that have the photo-enforcement devices. There are currently around 60 cameras installed and monitoring intersections in Orlando, Ocoee, Apopka, Winter Park, Maitland, Winter Springs and Orange County, and city officials in Oviedo, DeLand and Kissimmee are also considering the installation of these cameras.

If the measure passes, the four cameras would be installed at two of Longwood’s busiest intersections. Three cameras are planned for the intersection of U.S. Highway 17-92 and State Road 434, and a fourth would be installed at S.R. 434 and North Ronald Reagan Boulevard.

Critics of the cameras say that red light cameras are more of a revenue stream for cities than an effective deterrent against drivers who run red lights. Each ticket issued by the system includes a $158 fine with the city or county where the camera is located getting around $75 and the rest going to the state. There is no doubt that red light cameras generate some income for city, county and state coffers, but they also force drivers to drive more cautiously to avoid receiving the dreaded ticket in the mail. Critics may be failing to see the scope of the red light running problem in Central Florida.

For example, police conducted studies at two high-traffic intersections shortly after red light cameras were installed. The intersection of Alafaya Trail and Lake Underhill issued an average of 56 tickets per day, and a camera mounted at the intersection of University Boulevard and Dean Road averaged 50 tickets per day. That’s a lot of drivers taking a terrible chance on causing a grisly accident just to save a minute or two.

Orlando personal injury attorney O. Cunningham is a staunch supporter of red light cameras. He has successfully represented countless victims of horrible T-bone accidents caused by negligent drivers over the years and sees the terrible injuries that result from red light runners. If you or a close family member has been injured in an auto accident and you need experienced, aggressive legal representation, call Mr. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.