This browser does not support the Video element.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - In mid-March, we first told you about a freaky fast traffic light at Sand Lake and Turkey Lake roads. After commuters once again raised concerns about the light, FOX 35 sought answers.
People trying to turn left onto Turkey Lake Road have been complaining that the light is going to cause a serious wreck, so we took their concerns to Orange County government again on Monday afternoon.
Viewer Rob Stang sent us cell phone video in March, raising a red flag about a red light that sneaks up on drivers. "I’m concerned that someone is going to walk out in front of a car and get hit," he said.
The light was timed for less than ten seconds and impatient drivers were running it nearly every cycle. Orange County traffic managers told FOX 35 the light had a broken sensor and two days later they told us it was fixed. Evan Dimov’s daughter shot recent cell phone video at the same traffic light that shows the light cycle in the video ran eight seconds. Dimov is concerned students driving to nearby Dr. Phillips High School will get into crashes. "A lot of them know the light is very fast and they don’t have a lot of patience. They want to get to class. That’s the main concern."
A spokeswoman with the county told us traffic managers would assess the light on Monday afternoon. When we shot video at intersection on Monday evening, the light cycle lasted 19 seconds. A spokeswoman tells us the challenge with this light is heavy traffic coming off Interstate 4 and driving west on Sand Lake. She says if the turn lights are too long, it can back traffic up onto I-4’s ramps. Dimov says he has seen many near accidents at the intersection. "Several times, there are so many close calls that it’s not even funny"
We are waiting to hear back from county traffic managers about whether they fixed the light on Monday or if the light has a longer cycle during the evening compared to the morning hours. County managers say if you have concerns about any intersection in orange county, you can call 311.
