It only takes a split second for a routine drive to turn into a crash. That’s part of the reason a compilation of red-light camera footage released in Lakeland, Florida, is generating so much discussion online. Shared on Reddit under the title “Red-Light Cameras in Lakeland Are Catching Some Wild Close Calls Lately,” the video appears to show several vehicles narrowly avoiding collisions, leaving local drivers divided over what the footage reveals about road safety in the city.
The footage was released by the Lakeland Police Department and focuses on several intersections across the city. Recorded by traffic enforcement cameras, the video highlights a number of close calls involving drivers who appear to enter junctions after traffic lights have turned red, narrowly avoiding collisions in the process.
One of the closest calls occurs when a white SUV enters an intersection after the light has turned red, coming within moments of striking a black SUV traveling through on a green signal. Another striking moment shows a black SUV speeding over a pedestrian crossing so quickly that the vehicle briefly appears to leave the ground before continuing through the intersection.
Near the end of the clip, a caption appears on screen reading, “Police are urging drivers to slow down & pay attention to the roads,” underscoring the message behind the footage.
Florida Drivers React to Lakeland’s ‘Wild Close Calls’
The footage quickly sparked reactions online. Some commenters focused on the clip showing the black SUV appearing to leave the ground as it sped through an intersection. One local wrote, “That last truck…. Bruh,” while another shared a personal experience, writing, “I unintentionally caught a bit of air one time hitting an incline over a railroad crossing just right. Scared the hell out of me like crazy. I’ll never forget the feeling of a drop when I least expected it. Or the sound of tires catching the road again. If this truck driver caught air on purpose on top of running the red… mad lad. Stupid. Mad lad.”
Others were less amused and instead focused on the dangers shown throughout the compilation. One commenter joked, “I saw my life flash from my phone,” referencing the number of near-misses captured on camera.
Not everyone immediately blamed reckless driving. Some commenters wondered whether visibility issues might be contributing to the number of incidents captured on camera. One user asked, “Why is it so common at that one light? Can you not see the light or something due to the sun or an obstruction?” They went on to recall a visit to Ocala, writing that the setting sun made it difficult to see while driving west.
However, other locals pushed back on that explanation. One Lakeland resident wrote, “I live in Lakeland and drive through that intersection regularly. I assure you there is no issue with the visibility of the light at any time of day because the road (S. Florida Ave) runs North/South and there are no obstructions in either direction. It’s also not a particularly long red light because the cross street (Parker) isn’t heavily travelled. Zero excuse for the amount of near misses that happen.”
Many users also argued that the drivers shown in the footage should face consequences. One person wrote, “Every single one of those [expletive] deserves a ticket and mandatory drivers reeducation,” reflecting the frustration expressed by a number of viewers who felt the video demonstrated exactly why traffic enforcement measures are necessary.
While the footage doesn’t appear to show any crashes, that’s arguably what makes it so unnerving. Many of the clips capture those split-second moments where a routine drive could have ended very differently. Whether viewers see the video as a case for stricter enforcement, better road design, or simply more attentive driving, the close calls serve as a reminder that most people sharing the road are only one mistake away from a potentially life-changing accident. Sometimes the most powerful safety warning is seeing what almost happened.
