A GOP lawmaker is seeking to have a law, passed just last year that let’s local governments install red light cameras and ticket drivers based on the pictures, repealed.
Sen. Rene Garcia (R-Hialeah), said in a statement on Tuesday, the law is an “unwarranted, big-brother initiative”, after announcing he had filed the bill (SB 672).
If the bill were to pass, the measure would require cameras be removed from state roads by next July. At least 50 communities in Florida had red light cameras last year.
The main objections have been that the cameras violate drivers’ civil liberties, a fear of wrongful ticketing, and that they gouge unsuspecting residents. It took eight years to pass the measure over those objections.
Meanwhile, late last month, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, with safety concerns paramount, announced the installation of red light cameras at 10 locations throughout the county. Jacobs in making the announcement, cited an Institute of Highway Safety study, which indicated that in 2007, red light running crashes killed more than 900 people and injured more than 153,000.
Garcia’s repeal bill also puts him at odd with the insurance industry which says the cameras reduce fatalities.
Should Garcia’s bill pass, it is not entirely clear what this will mean for communities that have already installed red light cameras.
