West-central Florida is about to join other areas of the state with the installation of red-light cameras this month (March), likely adding to the heated debate the state already has concerning the devices.
At the heart of the debate lies the question: Are the cameras just a privacy-invading, moneymaking scheme, or are they a way to make intersections safer by counteracting what officials refer to as an “epidemic” of red-light running?
"It's about money, control and power over the average motorist," Henry Stowe, a Sanford activist with the grass roots National Motorists Association, told the St. Petersburg Times. He noted that some researchers have seen a rise in rear-end collisions after the installation of the cameras, as drivers slam on the brakes at yellow or red lights to avoid a ticket.
"I wish they were already up," said police Lt. David Brown of Port Richey, which plans to install its first camera soon along accident-prone U.S. 19. "People say it's a cash cow, but all we're trying to do is save lives. If you don't run the red light, you won't hear from us."
The cameras will likely become more widespread if Florida legislators change a state law this spring. Some local cities like St. Petersburg are interested in posting the cameras at dangerous intersections, but they're waiting for legislators to amend the law. Due to a loophole in that law, places like Clearwater, Hillsborough County, Temple Terrace and Port Richey are already bringing in the cameras or are contemplating doing so.
In Florida cities where cameras are already installed, they videotape and photograph the offending cars and their license plates, but not the drivers (only three states currently allow face photos). A local police officer reviews the evidence on the camera vendor’s website, and the company sends the photos and a $125 ticket to the car owner. The tickets are not considered moving violations and do not add insurance points to the owner’s license—they are treated more like a parking ticket.
The camera companies say their employees and traffic cops view the videos to omit drivers who do not deserve tickets. And like any citation, these tickets can be contested in traffic court. Drivers who don't believe they broke the law can go online and watch a 12-second video of the violation.
Florida officials who are in favor of the cameras say too many drivers are not taking stoplights seriously. They also reference polls showing strong support for the cameras.
State figures show that red-light running contributes to the deaths of 100 people and injuries of more than 6,000 annually. Hillsborough County had nearly 450 red-light crashes last year, while its deputies wrote nearly 3,800 tickets for red-light running. The county will hold a public hearing March 6 on its plans to implement the cameras.
Drivers who enter an intersection on a yellow light, are involved with a funeral procession or get stuck in a left-turn lane waiting for oncoming traffic to clear do not get tickets, said Josh Weiss of American Traffic Solutions, which has camera deals with Apopka and Port Richey and is talking with Temple Terrace.
