The House passed a bill Friday that will allow the use of and standardize cameras to catch red light runners in Florida over the objections of libertarians who said it is an encroachment on personal freedom and a money grab by cities and counties.
The bill (HB 325) passed 77-33, but not before opponents said the measure wasn’t about preventing people from running red lights, but raising money for government in tight times. “Government has an insatiable appetite for our people’s money,” and residents are tired of “revenue grabs” like the red light camera bill,” said Rep. Rob Schenk, R-Spring Hill. “Where does it end?” Schenk asked, suggesting that today cameras may record red light runners, and that could lead in the future to cameras in homes to determine how much water we use, for example.
But several Republicans rose to say that the measure will reduce traffic deaths and was worth any intrusion – and that people shouldn’t expect the freedom to break the law anyway. “We have a lot of liberties in this country,” said Rep. Clay Ford, R-Gulf Breeze. “Running red lights and killing school children isn’t one of them.” Added Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples: “If you don’t want the ticket, don’t run the red light. It’s not tricky.”
The bill is named the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act after a man who was killed by a red light runner. His widow, Melissa Wandall, watched as the House passed the bill, which still needs Senate approval.
The bill standardizes the use of the cameras statewide, including spelling out how the $158 fines issued from the cameras’ use would get divvied up. It also adds protections for red light runners who simply fail to fully stop before turning right on red, and allows drivers to review the tape of their offense if they dispute it.
Source: News Service Florida
