9 Investigates lack of red light cameras at dangerous intersections

ORLANDO, Fla. — Pedestrians and drivers told Channel 9’s Samantha Manning that Conroy Road and South Kirkman Street is full of cars flying through the intersection.

“I’ve seen people blow through these red lights,” said bicyclist Michelle Citrinite. "I almost get hit quite a lot over here.”

That's why the city says it placed a red light camera at the intersection. According to MetroPlan Orlando, the Conroy Road & South Kirkman Street intersection had the most crashes in the city of Orlando from 2011 to 2015, with more than 440 crashes.

It's one of more than 40 Orlando intersections with red light cameras.

"I know where they are, so I am more cautious about stopping there. Like I've had family members get tickets for it,” said Sarah Bridge.

According to statistics from MetroPlan Orlando, that showed four of the top 10 intersections with the most crashes have red light cameras. The intersections include South Semoran Boulevard and Curry Ford Road, and International Drive and South Kirkman Road.

But North Garland Avenue and West Colonial Drive had more than 320 crashes from 2011 to 2015. There are no red light cameras at the intersection and 9 Investigates learned there are no immediate plans to put cameras in the area.

North John Young Parkway and State Road 438 had 270 crashes, but it's also a spot without a camera.

9 Investigates also found that the intersections with the most crashes don't always add up to the most tickets being given to drivers. At the intersection of Universal Boulevard and International Drive, more than 6,200 tickets were issued to drivers last year.

“We’ve been focused primary on the intersections where have the greatest exposure in terms of fatalities and injuries,” said Billy Hattaway, transportation director for the city of Orlando.

Hallaway told 9 Investigates that the city reevaluates its camera locations throughout the year based on the latest crash information. The city mainly looks at right angle crashes, often known as T-bone crashes because Hattway said they can cause the most injuries. The city said those crashes have gone down 65 percent since the red light camera installations.

“Are there plans to add cameras to those other six intersections?” Manning asked.

"We do have plans to add cameras at other intersections,” Hattaway said. "We want to continue to focus on the worst quarters and the worst intersections. That is the direction to my staff coming in."

Records show the city is in the process of putting up red light cameras at 28 other intersections, and 18 of the cameras are already active.

South Kirkman Road and Vineland Road is one of the new active locations. It's an intersection that was number 10 on the most dangerous list 9 Investigates compiled.

Cox Media Group