Beginning today, drivers in Orange County who run red lights could expect to receive citations and fines of at least $158.
Late last month, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs warned motorists that red light cameras were being installed at 10 intersections throughout the county, with the aim of preventing injuries and saving lives. Jacobs said back then, the program was not about collecting money.
Red light violators will be subject to a fine of $158 for each offense caught on camera, and if the ticket is not paid in a timely manner the fine jumps to $262.
The ten locations at which red light cameras are installed are:
- Old Winter Garden Road and Hiawassee Road
- John Young Parkway at Central Florida Parkway
- Dean Road at University Boulevard
- Lake Underhill Road at Dean Road
- Oak Ridge Road at Texas Avenue
- Hiawassee Road at Clarcona Ocoee Road
- Oak Ridge Road at John Young Parkway
- Alafaya Trail at Lake Under hill Road
- University Boulevard at Rouse Road
- Chickasaw Trail at Lake Underhill Road
In a separate development, earlier this month, Sen. Rene Garcia (R-Hialeah) announced the filing of a bill (SB 672) to repeal a state law passed last year, allowing local governments to install red light cameras and ticket drivers based on the pictures. According to Garcia believes, the current law is an “unwarranted, big-brother initiative”.
If Garcia’s bill were to pass, the measure would require cameras be removed from state roads by next July.
The main objections have been that the cameras violate drivers’ civil liberties, a fear of wrongful ticketing, and that they gouge unsuspecting residents. It took eight years to pass the measure over those objections.
