The City of Orlando is shuffling at least five of their current red light cameras for not making enough money. However, all along the public has been told red light cameras are for “our safety” and placed in dangerous intersections to keep citizens safe. Now, city leaders are openly admitting profit and money is the driving force behind red light cameras.
For full disclosure, as a candidate for Mayor of Orlando earlier this year, I campaigned on removing red light cameras, saying that they were only there for profit and that the state legislature, not our city, actually benefits from the $158 fines.
The red lights being shuffled at best were generating enough money to cover monthly monitoring fee – about $3,500 each. But if officials are to be taken at their word – that it’s not about money and crashes decreased at these intersections – why would you remove them? If they were working for public safety, why would you take them away and put them on busier roads where you will generate more potential tickets? Money, plain and simple.
New cameras are operating at North Rosalind Avenue and East Robinson Street and East Colonial Drive and North Magnolia Avenue in downtown Orlando; South Orange Avenue and Michigan Street just south of downtown; South Semoran Boulevard and Curry Ford Road in southeast Orlando; and South Semoran and Lake Underhill Road in east Orlando.
Throughout Orange County, red light cameras are keeping a close eye on drivers at 50 intersections. Watch out, Big Brother is watching you more and more in Central Florida, waiting to issue you a ticket and collect more of your money.
