Traffic Safety

METROPLAN ORLANDO is committed to improving both short- and long-term safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.  The organization continuously works in cooperation with the local governments, transportation agencies and Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTSTs) to improve traffic safety in Central Florida.

However, traffic safety is everyone's responsibility.  You can do your part by driving carefully, obeying all traffic laws and paying attention at all times.

Red-Light Running

Red-light running has received a lot of media attention recently.  Here are some facts on red-light running in the three-county area (Orange, Osceola and Seminole).

Background:
• Fatalities Analysis Reporting System reports that each year more than 1.8 million intersection crashes occur. 
• In 2004, over 900 people were killed and 168,000 were injured in crashes involving red-light running (nationwide).
• One strategy to reduce the number of crashes and violations associated with Red-Light Running is automated enforcement.
• Automated enforcement refers to the use of cameras to enforce traffic safety laws.

Number of Red Light Running Crashes in Central Florida (2005):
• Orange County – 622
• Seminole County – 108
• Osceola County – 72

States Currently Using Red Light Running Cameras for Enforcement:
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Washington
• District of Columbia

Locally:
• Recently, Orange County completed a study at five of the county’s busiest intersections.  In just one day, cameras showed more than 11,000 people ran a red light at these five intersections.  No warnings or citations were issued for this study.  Currently, Orange County is researching the possibility of using cameras to send warning letters to red-light runners.
• Recently, the City of Orlando used one camera to photographing southbound traffic on Hiawassee Road.  That camera captured 7,549 incidents between November 2005 and August 2006.  The City of Orlando mailed out 2,946 warning citations.  Since then, The City of Orlando has drafted an ordinance to allow the use of cameras to fine red-light runners as a code violation on local roads, similar to issuing a parking ticket.  Locations are yet to be decided.
• The City of Apopka passed an ordinance to allow the use of cameras to capture red right running violations on local roads.  The cameras have been in operation since May 2007, with warning letters being sent out in May through early July, and the issuing of tickets starting in late July.  The city mails tickets, along with a photo of the violation, which includes the back of the license plate.  The ticket is much like a parking ticket, meaning it does not add points to a license and is assigned to the owner of the vehicle.

Statewide:
• The Mark Wandall Safety Act (HB 1247 and SB 2558) which permits the use of cameras on state roads did not pass during the 2007 legislative session.  Currently, counties and municipalities can only issue tickets via a local ordinance – and only on local roads.

For more information on red-light running, visit the Orange County Community Traffic Safety Team's website, listed below.

Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTST)

Click here for information on the CTST best practices.

Orange County Community Traffic Safety Team
Sheryl Bradley, Orange County CTST Coordinator
(407) 246-2100
Click here to visit the Orange County CTST Web site

Seminole County Community Traffic Safety Team
Robin Butler, Seminole County CTST Coordinator
(407) 665-5641
Click here to visit the Seminole County CTST Web site

Osceola County Community Traffic Safety Team
Hector Lizasuain, Osceola County CTST Chairman
(407) 390-1700