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With RoadProof, you can save thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of time tracking down the video data you need, for whatever your end use case might be – whether it’s an accident case or criminal investigation.

Recorded video data that used to take days or weeks to find, can now be searched for, located and downloaded in a matter of minutes using the platform.

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Master Sergeant John A. Boos
Traffic Homicide Investigation, Florida Highway Patrol – Florida

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Florida Traffic Cameras: How To Get Footage After A Crash In Florida

Florida is home to one of the largest collections of traffic cameras in the United States. From the heavy intersection traffic in Miami and Tampa to the hundreds of miles of highway on I-95 and I-75, the cameras are constantly rolling. And chances are, if you were in a crash, there are probably cameras somewhere in the area that saw what happened. But, while that is great news, getting that footage is usually a much tougher task.

This article will go through every aspect of Florida traffic cameras, including the laws surrounding the cameras, how to obtain footage, and why having the correct resources, i.e., the correct platform, can help greatly.

How Do Traffic Cameras In Florida Work?

Traffic cameras in Florida are run by several different entities. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) manages a program known as FL511, which is used to monitor traffic along major highways and urban corridors statewide. County and city transportation departments manage their own cameras at the local level, primarily at intersections. Finally, red light cameras are managed by local governments and their contracted vendors.

All of the systems work differently, and the way they record varies, too. Some highway cameras periodically take still shots of traffic for monitoring purposes, but many continuously stream video. Red light cameras only activate when a vehicle crosses into an intersection after the red light turns red; therefore, they will not show an accident occurring while the light is green.

Are Traffic Cameras Still Legal In Florida?

Yes, traffic cameras are legal in Florida, although there have been ongoing debates about the specifics of how they should be used. Florida law provides for both state and local agencies to operate traffic monitoring cameras for the purpose of ensuring safe travel and reducing congestion. Florida law also allows for the use of red light cameras in municipalities as defined in the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act. Although there have been legislative attempts to abolish red light cameras over the years, and some municipalities have discontinued their programs due to opposition from locals and/or costs associated with operating the cameras, traffic cameras continue to be a viable component of the state’s overall safety infrastructure.

As such, individuals who have been involved in accidents in Florida will have a clear legal framework regarding ownership of the footage and the manner in which it can be requested.

How Do I Obtain Traffic Camera Footage In Florida?

Obtaining traffic camera footage in Florida is no longer simply making a call to one agency requesting footage. The process of obtaining footage will depend upon which agency/department owns the camera(s) that captured your incident.

For example, if the FDOT had a camera installed along a state highway that captured your incident, you would file a public records request with the Florida Department of Transportation, only to find out that FDOT does not record their own cameras. Conversely, if your incident occurred at an intersection that was monitored by a city or county-owned camera, you would contact the applicable department (i.e., transportation/public works). Requests for red light camera footage would be directed to the vendor or municipality that contracted for the service.

Each agency has its own forms, processes, and/or fees. You will need to provide the date, time, and location of your incident. However, given that traffic camera footage is typically deleted shortly after the incident occurs (and in many cases, hours/days later), the timing of your request is the single most important factor in determining whether or not you can obtain the footage.

Unfortunately, the timing issue creates significant problems for the average person. By the time someone has put together a formal public records request and sent it to the proper department, the footage may already be gone.

Why Working With The Right Platform Can Be A Game Changer For Professionals

RoadProof was created to address the problem of traffic camera footage disappearing before it can be obtained. Through RoadProof, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, accident reconstruction specialists, insurance companies, etc., have direct access to millions of hours of previously recorded video footage from traffic cameras located in Florida and other parts of the world.

Unlike attempting to find which agency owns which camera and filing multiple public records requests, RoadProof allows users to search for available footage based on a specific location and time frame; identify which cameras are located near an incident; and obtain the footage needed in mere minutes. Additionally, RoadProof will preserve the footage for up to one year, whereas most governmental systems retain the footage for a significantly shorter period.

Law enforcement agencies throughout Florida, including the Florida Highway Patrol, the City of Orlando Police Department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Miami Police Department, and others, utilize RoadProof for the same reason – it saves enormous amounts of time during an investigation.

For legal professionals, using RoadProof provides a competitive advantage in the ability to develop a case that settles more quickly and for a more reasonable amount of money. RoadProof also integrates traffic video with real-time and historical weather information, and a live incident feed, allowing investigators to view the total picture of the environmental conditions at the time of an accident, not just what the camera captured.

Individuals Involved In An Incident Who Want To Obtain Footage

If you were a party involved in an incident involving traffic cameras in Florida and believe you want to obtain the footage, the best action to take immediately is to hire an attorney. RoadProof works exclusively with licensed attorneys and law enforcement personnel and does not allow access to non-professional parties for security and privacy concerns. If you do not have an attorney, RoadProof can assist you in connecting with a reputable attorney in your area who has access to the platform and can review the available footage on your behalf. Due to the fact that traffic camera footage in Florida is deleted very rapidly after an incident, the sooner you begin the process after the incident, the better off you will be.

The Final Word On Traffic Cameras In Florida

While the number of traffic cameras in Florida is large, and the video they produce can be compelling evidence in accident claims, criminal investigations, and insurance disputes, the primary issues are always speed and accessibility. While government systems generally move at a slower pace than private sector applications, traffic camera footage is typically deleted shortly after an incident. Also, finding the correct agency to request the footage from can take a tremendous amount of time, especially for the average individual.

That is why RoadProof was developed. Regardless of whether you are a law enforcement official developing a case, an attorney representing a client, or an accident reconstruction specialist trying to piece together what happened on the roadways of Florida, RoadProof provides you with the archived traffic video footage, weather information, and incident records you require, in a centralized location, without the bureaucracy.