Say Cheese! Mickey Is catching you with Red Lights.

[menamechris]

I've never encountered one of these cameras where I live, but I've read a lot about them. One thing I've always wondered about is whether they offer any kind of "grace period" before nailing you....e.g., if you enter an intersection while a light is yellow but go under the light a fraction of a second after it turns red, can you expect a ticket in the mail?

The way I understand it is that a picture is snapped at the light turns red. If your front wheels are behind the line, you are ticketed. If you are in the intersection, you are in the clear. I have no idea if Orlando or Orange County is giving a few "freebies" if you are busted or not. I think they are primarily looking for repeat offenders.

 

[boufa]

I think they are primarily looking for repeat offenders.

Think again. Whatever their standards, don't expect any grace beyond that based on repeat offenders. Besides, what are the chances that you get busted twice or more on a tourist driven road? If they were looking primarily for repeaters then they would have set the cameras on a more "local" street.

 

[devoy1701]

Think again. Whatever their standards, don't expect any grace beyond that based on repeat offenders. Besides, what are the chances that you get busted twice or more on a tourist driven road? If they were looking primarily for repeaters then they would have set the cameras on a more "local" street.

OC is looking for revenue.

 

[Master Yoda]

Think again. Whatever their standards, don't expect any grace beyond that based on repeat offenders. Besides, what are the chances that you get busted twice or more on a tourist driven road? If they were looking primarily for repeaters then they would have set the cameras on a more "local" street.

The idea of going after repeat offenders does have a bit of merit at WDW. The majority of the traffic enforcement (speed traps, etc) seems to be aimed at cast members that drive like maniacs vs. you average tourist making a stupid mistake.

 

[rsoxguy]

Quick question from someone who sincerely does not run lights, but is curious:
Does Disney have any influence regarding the patrolling of these adjoining roads (i.e. "please don't harass our money-paying guests") ?

 

[bigorangeandy]

Red light Stop
Green light Go
Yellow light go very Fast
-Starman

Where I live they have turned off the cameras as it was costing more money to run the system, than it was bring in. After teaching my kids to drive in the last few years, I have tried to make sure that I am doing my driving correct. They seem to be do as I do, not do as I say.

 

[boufa]

Quick question from someone who sincerely does not run lights, but is curious:
Does Disney have any influence regarding the patrolling of these adjoining roads (i.e. "please don't harass our money-paying guests") ?

Legally, no. In reality, I am sure they were consulted. The roads I believe are actual public roads. That is why they are patrolled and enforced by the local sheriff. There is no difference between one of the main disney roads, and US 192. A public road is a public road from a legal view.

The deal in most Ohio cities that use the cams is that it is a $100 civil fine (so no points) similar to a parking ticket. It is split where the city receives approx $65 and the rest goes to the camera company. In our cases the city cannot lose (except in court) because they don't pay the camera company.

** Watch on rental cars!!!! Recent articles indicate that the major rental companies will turn over your credit card number and ATS (the biggest traffic cam company) will simply automatically charge your credit card for the fine AND an administrative fee. This is not a conspiracy, this is the program. There are several lawsuits to stop this practice, but as of an article from March 2011, it is still going on.

 

[Frenchi]

So is this a new revenue stream from Disney? Are the roads owned by the state or company?

 

[Wilt Dasney]

OC is looking for revenue.

See, I was wondering if Reedy Creek got any of the money from the fines. If so, this would just be another way for Disney to make money off its guests. :lol:

 

[Mouse Detective]

This is interesting about red light cameras being installed on Disney property. I wonder who is behind this? There are various incorporated cities around Orlando (including Orlando itself) that have approved and installed red light cameras but I don't recall Orange County itself installing them in unincorporated areas of the county. Of course Disney has the two incorporated cities but they don't have their own police department. Disney owns their roads and streets but has contracted out traffic enforcement to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. To have red light cameras on property either the two cities or Reedy Creek Improvement District would have had to approve them....and they get a large cut of the traffic fines. Very interesting.

Under Florida law you can't get a ticket for entering the intersection on a yellow light, even if it turns to red while you're out there. As someone mentioned, yellow has the same meaning as green. Also, the law allowing red light cameras was recently amended to say that those rolling right turns on red can only be enforced if a police officer actually witnesses it. Red light cameras cannot enforce it as long as the driver slowed down before turning. Making a right turn on red without slowing at all can be enforced by the cameras.

 

[PlaneJane]

The lights in my town, do both speed and red lights, so if you are in the Green and yellow and you are speeding you still get a ticket..

It really all depends on the settings the camera has. One city in my area gives you a ticket if you turn on red without waiting 2 seconds at the light. I've gotten one

 

[blm07]

Now for the serious question?

Can I get the photo added to my photopass CD? Are there any magic shots you can get with it? Maybe they could add an image of Stitch somewhere. Or maybe they could put a cartoon rocket on top of your car, blowing fire and smoke out.

Or maybe, if its a safety thing, they could show Mickey and Minnie walking across the cross walk with a "Oh My God We Are About To Be Run Over!" Look on their faces.... priceless. I would run the light just for the photo. Think of how much money they could make.

Along the same lines could they put up these cameras in the parks. Either a) to control the bad driving of people with strollers. or b) they could have on on main street. Every time you pass in front of the castle your photopass photo is automatically taken. They would mail you the picture and automatically bill you. This is genius!!! does anyone have Meg Croften's new phone number.

:ROFLOL: What can they do for ECVs?

 

[gamblepsu]

now for the serious question?

Can i get the photo added to my photopass cd?

:lol::lol:

 

[menamechris]

The idea of going after repeat offenders does have a bit of merit at WDW. The majority of the traffic enforcement (speed traps, etc) seems to be aimed at cast members that drive like maniacs vs. you average tourist making a stupid mistake.

Yes...this. I don't know if there have been an increase in incidents the last year or so, but management seems to be putting a lot of things in place to make certain that cast members are driving safely. (Like the no driving using cell phone rule). And apparently...they are very serious about it.

 

[menamechris]

And incidently - has anyone noticed the new "cast member" bumper stickers? They have a "CM" logo. I am curious if CM's are putting them on their cars for fun - or if this is something being implemented by the resort. I had never seen them before, but all of a sudden last weekend - they were EVERYWHERE...

 

[MrMorrowTom]

This is interesting about red light cameras being installed on Disney property. I wonder who is behind this? There are various incorporated cities around Orlando (including Orlando itself) that have approved and installed red light cameras but I don't recall Orange County itself installing them in unincorporated areas of the county. Of course Disney has the two incorporated cities but they don't have their own police department. Disney owns their roads and streets but has contracted out traffic enforcement to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. To have red light cameras on property either the two cities or Reedy Creek Improvement District would have had to approve them....and they get a large cut of the traffic fines. Very interesting.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-07-13/news/os-orange-red-lights-20100713_1_red-light-cameras-american-traffic-solutions-dean-road

The majority of the roads in WDW are public roads which are patrolled by Orange County Sheriff Department. They put them in they make the money. Its not like every light will have one, but the high traffic intersections will most likely have one. Its Orange County not the reedy creek.

All over America they are putting these cameras in. They say it cuts down head on collisions, but if you do your research rear end collisions have increased. All those people scared of getting a ticket slamming on their brakes.

 

[devoy1701]

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-07-13/news/os-orange-red-lights-20100713_1_red-light-cameras-american-traffic-solutions-dean-road

The majority of the roads in WDW are public roads which are patrolled by Orange County Sheriff Department. They put them in they make the money. Its not like every light will have one, but the high traffic intersections will most likely have one. Its Orange County not the reedy creek.

All over America they are putting these cameras in. They say it cuts down head on collisions, but if you do your research rear end collisions have increased. All those people scared of getting a ticket slamming on their brakes.

I do believe fatalities are down though. However the main function of these cameras are to generate much more revenue for state and local governments using much less manpower.

 

[officeboy]

Quick question from someone who sincerely does not run lights, but is curious:
Does Disney have any influence regarding the patrolling of these adjoining roads (i.e. "please don't harass our money-paying guests") ?

Are you asking if the largest single site employer (by far) in Orange County has any influence with local lawmakers? Hmmmm. I assume so.

I wonder if the cameras are under RCID auspices, or if the county is in charge of them????

 

[rsoxguy]

The idea of going after repeat offenders does have a bit of merit at WDW. The majority of the traffic enforcement (speed traps, etc) seems to be aimed at cast members that drive like maniacs vs. you average tourist making a stupid mistake.

Yes...this. I don't know if there have been an increase in incidents the last year or so, but management seems to be putting a lot of things in place to make certain that cast members are driving safely. (Like the no driving using cell phone rule). And apparently...they are very serious about it.

Are you asking if the largest single site employer (by far) in Orange County has any influence with local lawmakers? Hmmmm. I assume so.

I wonder if the cameras are under RCID auspices, or if the county is in charge of them????

There are comments made here that hint at an answer to my question. Does anyone know if Disney does in fact hold some type of influence regarding the ticketing of tourists on their local roads? (Again, this question comes from someone with no "Disney" related traffic tickets.)

 

[MrMorrowTom]

I do believe fatalities are down though. However the main function of these cameras are to generate much more revenue for state and local governments using much less manpower.

Yea I agree with you 100% its to generate money. But the "political" reason the county's/cities are putting the red light cameras up will say it is for safety.