Red light cameras have always been controversial. Some drivers claim they cause rear-end crashes while others believe the yellow lights are shortened to increase ticket revenues.
That’s why 9 Investigates decided to take a look at local crash data, and we found some results that may surprise you.
Every driver is faced with the same decision when a traffic light turns yellow: hit the brakes or the gas.
Some make the wrong decision, while others barely make it through the intersection without crashing. Even if they make it through, they’ll still get a $158 ticket in the mail.
Roosevelt Desravines said he had no choice but to hit the gas because the yellow light changed so quickly. He said he believes red light cameras are a trap to make money.
“The timing of the yellow lights has definitely been shortened down,” he said.
The state sets required minimums for yellow light times based on approaching speed limits. Central Florida Parkway near the John Young Parkway is 40 mph. The light is supposed to be yellow for at least four seconds.
So, WFTV decided to put the light to the test using a stop watch. We timed the yellow light numerous times, and each time, it was always four seconds.
We timed lights at red light camera intersections in Winter Park, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Apopka and Orange County. All of them met or came within a tenth of a second of the state standards.
“We’re not trying to trick people,” said Orange County traffic engineer Krista Baber.
In fact, Orange County has software that double-checks yellow light timing.
On the rare occasion it doesn’t meet the state standard, the violation is thrown out.
But critics also believe cameras cause rear-end crashes.
“If I am slamming on my breaks not to pass that yellow light, someone could hit me from the back,” said Desravines.
WFTV dug through crash records from all over Central Florida and discovered rear end crashes went down after the cameras went up.
Orange County saw a 57 percent drop. Daytona Beach saw a 30 percent drop and Apopka and Orlando were down 21 percent and 15 percent.
There's also been a big reduction in T-bone crashes.
“People are actually changing the way they drive,” said Baber.
Orange County has recently seen a 22 percent drop in the number of red light citations. Supporters said this also proves drivers are changing their habits.