In January, the Florida House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee voted 12-1 to support new legislation in H.B. 6003, which would repeal the existing state statute that authorizes the use of red-light cameras for the purpose of enforcing traffic violations. There has been a growing movement to end the use of these cameras in the state, and this is just the latest step forward in that movement.
The bill will likely get a vote on the house floor. A similar bill was passed 83-10 during last year’s session, but failed to reach the state senate before the session ended.
History of red-light camera legislation
The bill the measure would effectively cancel is the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Program Law, which was established in 2010 and named after a Bradenton man who was killed by a driver who ran a red light in 2003. The bill has been the subject of controversy ever since. Critics say the devices have not been effective in reducing fatalities and that it can be harmful to due process by punishing the owner of the vehicle rather than the driver.
There have been other criticisms of the red-light cameras over the years, including increases in rear-end collisions at intersections where those cameras are in use. Opponents of the cameras say there are other steps legislators should take to enforce safety at these areas and that the state should focus on standardizing yellow light timing.
The city of Bradenton has already been rolling back its use of red-light cameras. In fact, they have not been operational in the city since mid-2016.
The removal of red-light cameras could have an effect on personal injury claims throughout Florida in the near future. If you’ve been injured in a crash, meet with a knowledgeable Bradenton auto accident lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.