Longwood Red Light Cameras Canceled in Tight Voting
Just when it seemed that Longwood would join other Central Florida cities in doing the sensible thing and installing red light cameras to discourage drivers from running red lights, a panel of city commissioners voted against the ordinance. Longwood had planned to install three red light cameras at its busiest intersection and another at a different high-volume intersection. The commissioners voted down the red light camera ordinance by a vote of three to two, halting plans for three cameras at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17-92 and State Road 434 and a fourth at S.R. 434 and North Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
One of the nay votes came from Mayor Joe Durso, who stated that there were a number of “legal issues” surrounding red light cameras. He said that the legality of these cameras has been questioned in several communities that have the cameras, which could cause a “legal quagmire” in Longwood and divert much needed revenue to legal fees.
“It’s just not right for us to do at this minute,” he said.
Durso also cited the possibility that the cameras would be declared illegal again during next year’s session of Florida lawmakers.
Commissioner Butch Bundy voted in favor of the ordinance and voiced concern about the repercussions of the decision.
“I’m disappointed,” Bundy said following the meeting. “We had the opportunity to make the city safer … and we didn’t.”
Longwood originally approved the installation of red light cameras in 2009, but uncertainty about how state legislators would vote on the matter caused city officials to hold off until a decision was made on the state level. As it turns out, this is a very valid concern as a bill that would make red light cameras illegal was passed in May by a vote of 59 to 57 in the Florida House but did not pass in the Senate.
Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham also has valid concerns about the red light camera issue, but his concerns are not about the cameras. Rather, his concerns are regarding the scores of Floridians killed and hundreds who are injured each year in T-bone accidents caused by reckless drivers running red lights. In a state that ranks consistently third in the nation every year for total number of auto accidents and people injured and killed in these accidents, he hopes that lawmakers would use every means at their disposal to save lives. For more than 34 years, he has successfully represented people injured and the families of those killed in auto accidents. If you have suffered an injury in an accident caused by a red light runner and you want to speak with an Orlando auto accident lawyer, call Mr. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule your 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.
