ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — In just two weeks, Orange County will start sending its first fines to drivers caught on camera running red lights, but there's a way to avoid those cameras and tens of thousands of people in Central Florida are already doing it.
It is the 2011 version of your old radar detector, with the most current twist. WFTV found that GPS is helping local drivers avoid red light camera fines by the thousands.
"It basically keeps you ahead of the game," driver Gervase Hastick said.
Like many, Hastick downloaded the "PhantomALERT" app this fall after red light cameras were legalized. PhantomALERT says there were fewer than 1,000 users statewide in 2008. Since then, the CEO claims, there have been some 25,000 downloads just in Central Florida.
"Sometime you'll be in a hurry, try to go through a red light. But now that they're gonna enforce it, I mean, it's pretty much a must-have," Hastick said.
Ever-changing information about which particular intersection actually have the red light cameras is input by the drivers themselves, meaning an update to your smartphone or GPS should, theoretically, provide the latest warning.
Late last month, Orange County flipped on ten new cameras, with more to come. The city of Orlando now has 17. That's on top of a scattering of cameras in Brevard, Lake and Seminole counties.
Orange County leaders say they are aware of the PhantomALERT app, but haven't calculated its effect into their use of the cameras. But they think the product could aid their stated goal of improved safety.
User Steve Hunt agrees, who sees the app as a way to protect himself.
"Red light runners, they need to be caught. But you gotta keep it on a level playing field," he said.
If estimates prove correct, nearly 450 drivers could be cited daily at Orange County's camera locations, binging in nearly $70,000 each day. That cash is split between local governments and the state.
Previous Stories: February 3, 2011: Red Light Camera Ticketed Wrong Driver February 1, 2011: Study: Red Light Cameras Lower Traffic Deaths January 24, 2011: Mayor Makes Announcement On Red Light Cams January 20, 2011: Red-Light Cameras Installed, Tickets To Be Issued Soon January 19, 2011: Intersections That Have Red Light Cameras
WFTV
