Red Light Cameras

Presented by Victor Ortino to the Collier County Board of County Commissioners, April 21, 2008:

I feel compelled to express my opinion on this matter. At a debate on April 7, 2008 in front of the Collier Republican Executive Committee, this topic arose. I responded at that time stating that I was generally against having red-light cameras because of the “Big Brother” approach to Law Enforcement, but I would have to conduct some research on this matter so I could make a more informed decision.

After that meeting I was contacted by number of citizens whom expressed their concerns and was told that other States are now banning red-light cameras due to safety issues.

Next, I read Mark Strain’s article in the April 18, 2008 issue of The Collier Citizen. In his article, he cites two major studies, a 57 month study by The Urban Transit Institute of North Carolina and a 72 month study by The Virginia Transportation Research Council, both of which stated traffic accidents were increased up to 50% due to these cameras.

I did a little more homework and found that Researchers in Florida conducted rigorous studies which clearly show that these red-light cameras don’t work. A report released in March 2008 (last month) by the University of South Florida College of Public Health further stated rather than improving motorist safety, red-light cameras significantly increase crashes and are a ticket to higher insurance premiums.

In addition, FL Governor Crist and the Florida Department of Transportation do not allow Red-light cameras as an enforcement tool on any State Highway System. This would include any intersections on US 41.

Further research found that last year the Minnesota Supreme Court delivered a unanimous decision striking down the legality of red light cameras stating this program offered the accused fewer due process protections and created a new type of crime, “owner liability for red-light violations where the owner neither required nor knowingly permitted the violation.”

As a legal investigator I can foresee the potential for law suits against the County due to this knowledge.

Please note that I am strongly against red light runners and feel that the Sheriff’s Office should do everything within its powers to prevent and enforce red-light violations. However, it is very clear and evident that the use of the Red-Light Camera systems would be in place solely as a revenue generating tool and is not in the best interest of the safety of Collier County Citizens.

Therefore, I am asking you not to support any County ordinance in favor of using Red-Light Camera Systems.

Sources:

Minnesota Supreme Court Strikes Down Red Light Cameras : http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/16/1688.asp

Florida DOT Confirms Use of Red Light Cameras Illegal : http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/19/1994.asp

Public Health Researchers Take A Closer Look @ Cameras & Traffic Lights. Researchers recommend engineering solutions to improve intersection safety : http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/health/now/?p=404

2007 Virginia DOT Report Shows Red Light Cameras Increase Accidents : http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1844.asp

Virginia Officially Cancels Red Light Camera Program : http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/03/314.asp

Red Light Camera Studies Roundup
A collection of red light camera studies over the last decade shows red light cameras have serious side-effects: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/04/430.asp

Red-light runners beware: Camera generated tickets coming in Collier

By JENNA BUZZACCO (Contact), RYAN MILLS (Contact)
2:46 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Remember, red means stop.

Collier County commissioners are hoping a little bit of technology will help reduce the number of red light runners.

Commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to install unmanned cameras at intersections throughout the county. Cameras monitored by law enforcement will help officers to ticket drivers who run red lights.

“This is the worst community I’ve ever seen in my entire life as far as red-light running or stop sign running is concerned,” Commissioner Fred Coyle said before voting in favor of the cameras. “We either have the worst drivers or we have people who just don’t care. And the only way to get their attention is to hit them with a fine, and I wish we could hit them with a $500 fine.”

Commissioner Frank Halas said four years ago red light running was sporadic, but is now an epidemic in Collier County.

Commission Chairman Tom Henning and Commissioner Jim Coletta cast the dissenting votes.

“The county manager told me it will generate $1 million per intersection per year,” Henning said after the vote. “That’s not public service to me.”

Anyone caught running a red light will receive a $125 fine, according to the ordinance.

Speaking in front of the commission, Collier Undersheriff Kevin Rambosk said the purpose of the cameras will not be to increase revenues for his agency. The Sheriff’s Office does not profit from violation dollars, he said.

Money collected from traffic citations, in general, are divided among state and county agencies and the Clerk of Courts. The Sheriff’s Office reported issuing nearly 8,000 citations for violations of red lights in 2007. Rambosk said those numbers would definitely increase when the cameras are implemented.

The intent of the Sheriff’s Office is to change driving behavior in the county, Rambosk said.

“This wasn’t activated by the Sheriff’s Office, it was activated by this commission years ago,” Commissioner Donna Fiala said, referring to installing cameras. “Never ever, ever has it been motivated by money. We’re trying to save lives, that’s all. And no one has to pay a buck if they don’t run a red light.”

Cameras are expected to reduce manpower costs and reduce accidents at intersections. The cameras will only be used to enforce existing laws, Rambosk said.

“The citizens of Collier County have made it very clear to us at the Collier County Sheriff’s Office that this is the No. 1 driving complaint in this county,” Rambosk said. “With that, we are preparing a complete red light enforcement strategy and it includes providing safety information and a public commitment for all of us to drive more safely.”

A law enforcement officer will review each case before a ticket is issued to verify that a violation did, in fact, take place.

The owner of the vehicle running the red light will be responsible for paying the fine. The owner has 21 days after receiving the ticket to submit an affidavit asserting that the person driving the vehicle did not have permission, according to the county ordinance. In that case, they must also submit the name and address of the driver and details about how the driver came into possession of the vehicle, or a valid stolen vehicle report.

People who are ticketed for running red lights will not receive points on their license, and the violation will have no effect on driving privileges.

Private investigator Victor Ortino, who is running against Rambosk for Collier sheriff, spoke at the meeting against installing the cameras, calling it a “Big Brother” approach to law enforcement. Ortino cited several studies that found cameras ineffective.

“I am strongly against red light runners and feel that the Sheriff’s Office should do everything within its powers to prevent and enforce red light violations,” Ortino said.

“However, it is very clear and evident that the use of the red light camera systems would be in place solely as a revenue generating tool and is not in the best interest of the safety of Collier County citizens.”

The project still needs to be bid out and Rambosk said the lights will not be installed for several months. The cost of the cameras is still not known. Once installed, residents will have 60 days notice of the program.

“The only thing that I think we would ask of the motoring public is to join together and make a commitment to drive more safely,” Rambosk said. “That will make our roadways safer and make our family and friends safer on the roadways."