ORLANDO, Fla. – Is the illegal parking problem at the Orlando International Airport really fixed?
News 6 first exposed the problem in November with footage of dozens of drivers parking illegally on the shoulders of Jeff Fuqua Boulevard leading up to the terminals.
In a July 17 press release, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) declared “more vigorous enforcement has had a significant impact.”
MCO said it worked with Orlando police to “enhance enforcement as part of a continuing effort to ensure the safety and security of all travelers.”
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In June, police moved 1,619 cars and 420 cars in the first half of July.
But did it change drivers’ behavior?
On Monday, News 6 went back to check.
Several drivers were still waiting on the shoulders of Jeff Fuqua Boulevard throughout the morning.
And Uber driver and business owner Scott Ellis shared dashboard camera footage with News 6 he said he recorded just one night after GOAA announced the enforcement in its press release.
Ellis drives through MCO almost on a nightly basis picking up and dropping off passengers.
After his close calls, Ellis contacted News 6 to warn of the dangers of illegal shoulder parking, not just allowing cars to sit so close to the tarmac and parked planes but also the confusion it causes for traffic driving past the impromptu roadside parking lot.
Ellis’ nighttime dashcam footage recorded on July 18 showed more than 30 cars parked illegally on Jeff Fuqua Boulevard.
Several drivers suddenly braked as they approached the row of red lights from the illegally parked vehicles. A parked pickup driver then left the shoulder, slowly accelerated and merged into traffic, crossing all three lanes of traffic.
GOAA is aware of the danger.
“Illegal roadway parking not only poses a hazard to drivers, but also obstructs the traffic flow and causes congestion,” GOAA wrote in its July 17 press release.
The airport says some illegally parked drivers will get warnings and even citations.
And News 6 first reported in June that GOAA is also considering options besides police enforcement, things like cameras or loudspeakers or lights to drivers along.
GOAA reminds drivers there are two free 24-hour-a-day options for legal parking: the North and South cell phone waiting lots. Both offer free wi-fi and electronic message boards displaying flight information. And waiting in a cell phone lot instead of circling the terminal eases airport traffic congestion.
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