ORLANDO, Fla. — 9 Investigates first exposed problems with red light cameras that forced refunds and caused some cities to take them down.
But Orlando leaders have green-lighted a five-year contract to more than double the number of cameras on city streets.
It’s longest and largest red-light camera deal in the city’s history.
The City Council approved it, even as some state lawmakers are fighting to ban the cameras all together.
The details of where the cameras will go are still being worked out with the help of the Florida Department of Transportation, but the contract will mean drivers will be twice as likely to get caught if they run a red light in Orlando.
One of the intersections could be John Young Parkway and Colonial Drive, which thousands of drivers cross every day.
The contract with American Traffic Solutions will put more of the devices up at a cost of $3,500 in an effort to reduce crashed caused by drivers running through red lights.
“The intersections we've had red light cameras at have seen a 65 percent reduction in crashes,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Dryer said he's not worried about a push to ban the cameras state-wide, even though there have been reported problems that forced several cities to issue hundreds of thousands in refunds to drivers and even take the devices down.
“The easiest thing is just to comply and stop when the lights turn red,” Dyer said.
Drivers said they with the cameras weren’t needed.
“You know when it turns yellow, I mean, come on, stop,” said driver Jim Hubler.
Money from tickets collected is divided up between the city and the state.
The city takes in $75 per ticket, which goes back into the cost of running the program.