Obtaining FDOT Traffic Camera Footage After a Collision
The Short Answer
You can ask the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for traffic camera video of a collision, but a recording may not exist. FDOT's roadside cameras are mainly used by traffic management centers to watch conditions live, clear incidents and send messages to drivers. They are not designed to collect crash evidence. Some feeds may never be recorded, and recordings that are made may be kept only briefly. If FDOT holds footage, it is generally requested as a public record under Florida's public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Because any footage may not last long, the most important step is to ask quickly.
What Counts as an FDOT Traffic Camera
Who owns the camera matters, because that agency is the one you have to ask. FDOT cameras are usually mounted on poles or overhead structures along state highways and interstates. They feed regional traffic management operations. Not every camera at a Florida intersection belongs to FDOT, though. Cities and counties run their own traffic signal cameras, and red-light enforcement cameras are typically run by local governments, often through private vendors. A request sent to FDOT will not reach footage held by a city, county or vendor.
How a Request Generally Works
Find out which agency operates the camera, based on the road and the exact crash location. Submit a public records request to that agency as soon as you can. Include the date, the time window, the location and the direction of travel. Ask directly whether the footage was recorded and, if it was, how long it is kept. Ask about any copying fees and how the footage will be delivered before the agency processes the request. If a claim or lawsuit is likely, an attorney can send a preservation request or pursue a subpoena. These are more formal ways to keep footage from being deleted.
How This Differs From Other Sources of Crash Video
FDOT footage, if any exists, is usually a wide view meant to show traffic flow. Depending on the camera's angle and zoom when the crash happened, it may not show the moment of impact clearly. Other sources may be more useful: • Dashcam video from the vehicles involved or from witnesses; • Security cameras at nearby businesses or homes; • Body-worn or dashboard cameras of responding law enforcement officers; Private camera owners are not covered by public records law, so you can only ask them to share and keep the video. Law enforcement may already have collected footage as part of its crash investigation. The crash report can tell you which agency responded.
Gaps in the Available Information
No confirmed details were available for this guide on several points: • How long FDOT keeps any recorded footage; • Request fees; • Processing times; • Which district office or contact handles requests; These details may differ by region and may change over time. Confirm them with the agency before you rely on a request as your only source of evidence. Also be aware that some records can be exempt from public disclosure under Florida law, so a request may be partly or fully denied.
