The topic of red light cameras is front and center again in Tampa Bay.

  • Video of Worst Red Light Runners in FL released
  • Tampa residents concerned over crashes

On Wednesday, American Traffic Solutions released 90 seconds of video they call the 'Worst Red Light Runners in Florida.'

The video shows crash after crash at signal-controlled intersections. 

Many cities in the area hoped red light cameras would help end intersection crashes, but the fury of complaints about issues caused by the cameras caused many municipalities to remove them.

A primary complaint surrounds a perceived increase in rear-end crashes as drivers brake quickly to avoid a camera-generated ticket. 

Steve Tallent of Bradenton was involved in one such crash.  

"The light turned yellow and the car right in front of me just slammed on the brakes," explained Tallent. "So I slammed on my brakes and the load shifted and went through my back window, part of it did and busted the rear window out of my truck."

Following the crash, Tallent started watching the crosswalk signal timers to determine how long traffic has to clear an intersection.  He's written to many government agencies asking if the concept of the 'timer' could be added to the mast-arm at signalized intersections.

"Especially on the red lights where it's deemed so unsafe that they have the red light cameras.  I would like to see it on all of the red lights, but especially those."

F.D.O.T. Spokesperson David Botello researched the timers in other cities and says, for Tampa Bay, it is not likely the timers would cut down on crashes.

"It was long believed that the increased level of certainty would improve the drivers’ decision-making abil­ity, awareness and safety using countdown signal timers. However, based on real-world data, the anticipated safety and operational benefits for signal countdown timers were not realized."

In fact, in many cases the timer caused drivers to accelerate toward the intersection to avoid stopping at the signal.

In Tampa Bay, Traffic Signals are 'smart,' meaning they can sense when drivers are waiting and learn from the daily traffic patterns.  Timers at signals would be more effective with a fixed-time signal, however, our signal timing varies throughout the day based on real-time traffic conditions.