(December 27, 2017) BRADENTON, Fla. — Footage from more than a dozen Florida cities serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of red-light running. Video from intersections across the sunshine state shows the threat red-light runner pose to drivers, riders, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists every day. 

"These disturbing videos illustrate the severity of red-light running. Florida has ranked third in the nation for red-light running deaths. This video is a reminder of how important it is as we continue to educate drivers on the dangers of red-light running and work together to drive down the heartache and prevent such crashes," said Melissa Wandall, president, National Coalition for Safer Roads.

In Orlando, the technology has been used or more than a decade to change driver behavior.

"As the Transportation Director for the City of Orlando, who is dedicated to safety for motorist, pedestrians and bicyclists, enforcement is a critical strategy for improving safety, in addition to education and engineering. Our 'Orlando Stops' program is a model for conducting this type of enforcement. We use the revenues from ticketing to fund safety improvements to our transportation system and safety education," said Billy Hattaway, P. E., City of Orlando transportation director. 

Cities across Florida have reported significant gains in traffic safety due to the implementation of red-light safety cameras, including:

    • In Davie, both angle and total crashes were reduced by 50 percent.

    • Florida City reported a 36 percent reduction in angle crashes.

    • Ocoee's pair of intersection equipped with red-light safety camera technology saw a 55 percent reduction in angle crashes.

    • In Orange Park, total crashes were reduced by 69 percent while angular crashes saw a 75 percent reduction.

    • Sarasota experienced 29 percent fewer total crashes and an 18 percent reduction in angular crashes.

    • City of Sunrise Mayor's September 2017 report, noted a reduction in intersection injury accidents of over 43 percent from 2012 to 2017.



"This troublesome footage is eye-opening. My hope is that it encourages everyone to be a better, safer, more attentive driver in 2018," said Wandall. Melissa's husband, Mark Wandall was killed by a vehicle that ran a red light in October of 2003.

Florida's law allowing for the use of red-light safety cameras, the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act (MWTSA), was named after Melissa's late husband. As part of the MWTSA, $3 from every paid red-light running violation caught on camera has provided more than $16 million to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis for vital research into therapies that could one day provide a cure for paralysis.

Paid red-light safety camera violations have provided more than $30 million to 22 trauma centers throughout Florida to treat individuals injured in traffic-related and other emergencies.