Hillsborough targets motorists who run red lights

TAMPA -- Hillsborough County Commissioners today unanimously approved the idea of posting cameras at select intersections around unincorporated Hillsborough County to catch motorists who run red lights.

The proposal needs be subjected to a public hearing and a final vote.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office would seek bids from companies to provide the cameras and issue civil citations to those caught running red lights. Installing cameras at roughly 10 high-traffic intersections would be paid for by the company that provides them, the Sheriff's Office said.

Commissioners said they want to crack down on red light runners and traffic fatalities.

In 2007, there were 439 crashes attributed to running red lights, up from 361 in 2006. The Sheriff's Office wrote 4,800 red light tickets in 2006 and 3,784 in 2007. Having cameras at some of the busier locations would free deputies to fight more serious offenses, officials said.

- Bill Varian, Times staff writer

Comments

[Joe]

In Iowa where I came from these cameras were installed and found to be unconstitutional as well as all fines from tickets issued because of them had to be refunded. The city was getting 50% and the company who installed the cameras the other 50% but it was the city who was forced to refund 100% of the fines. What a waste of money as well as time.

[Scott]

How could these cameras be considered unconstitutional? There's no right to privacy for motorists who kill pedestrians on public streets. We need these cameras and we need more officers and deputies ticketing reckless drivers.

[Tino]

Great - instead of just looking into the intersection for yellow/red light drivers, now I get to worry about people slamming on their brakes every time the light turns yellow.

How long will it be until the Times does a story on the increase in rear-end collisions (like what has taken place elsewhere)?

[wazzamattaU]

It's about time we do something about red light runners and other careless drivers who are the real threats to our safety; less law enforcement public relations and press releases, more traffic control.

[Dee]

It's about time Florida gets with it. These have been working in Chicago and surrounding suburbs there for years. Florida is so behind the times.

[Lex]

How will you feel if your child or employee is driving your car and you get a ticket?? You DO know that the ticket is issued to the owner of the car, not the operator, right? You also know that you will have NO recourse against the person driving and should have gotten the ticket, right? You DO know that your insurance rates will go up because of something you didn't do, right? What's next? When will they start installing cameras in people's bedrooms to make sure they aren't committing any crimes there?

[Jon]

These cameras have been proven to increase accidents. It's a profit grab by both the county and a private corp. Don't fall for it.

Hey Lex.. don't let people use your car. If you do, isn't it good to find out that the people you let borrow your car, whether it be a child or employee, are running red lights? Think perhaps you *should* be responsible for the actions of the people you are allowing to drive your car? Would you ever let someone borrow a gun registered in your name? Why not??

.. and if you're rear-ending cars because they are slamming on their brakes for the red light, it means you're following too closely - another law continuously ignored.

[Baylink]

How could they be unconstitutional?

"Right to face your accuser."

In the case, for example, where aerial speed enforcement is performed, the officer writing the ticket has himself reconfirmed the illegal speed personally; in cases where drivers have been stopped solely on the word of an aerial officer who did not sign the ticket, drivers have had the citations thrown out.

*If* they ask. They'll be happy to convict you if you let them...

[Brian]

I now live in Charlotte, NC and the city recently removed the cameras (here, they were also found to be unconstitutional).

[melissa]

So why don't we also use the camera's to catch Jay walkers,persons that throw trash out the window,person's that play their radio to loud,person's that follow to close, persons' that have road rage, persons that weave in and out of traffic. I could go on but I think I made my point! Let's just let "big brother" watch everything we do...

glad to hear it. it's about time. everyday i'm on the road i see the red light runners in full action. i think everybody at the lights should blow all blow their horns at the same time to wake up these red light running idiots. would'nt that be neat?

it's always unconstitutional until they kill one of your own.

you are right.when they kill one of your own ,then it's a different story.

[John]

This is just another way to generate revenue through traffic fines. If the lights were timed properly red light running would be very low. Let's get the lights timed and stop letting the special ed kids program them.

[Nosha]

I think its about time they do something about red light runners. Sounds like everyone here against the idea are probably guilty of running red lights themselves.

[John]

This is good. I have almost been hit many times by folks running red lights. Keep in mind that driving is a privilege and cameras of this kind shouldn't be, in any way, a problem with privacy.

[Lex]

I taught my kids that every driver on the road is a moron and sooner or later they will do something stupid.. Always be alert and constantly scan all around, including the vehicle sides and rear using the mirrors. Always look both ways when entering an intersection, even if you have the green light and the right of way. Watch out for the idiots and you are less likely to be involved in an accident.

[Lex]

To the idiot who didn't leave their name - I own a business and my employees use my vehicles. I also have older teens who will use a vehicle occasionally. I bet if someone followed you around with a camera they'd find that you aren't a perfect driver.

[Capt Morgan]

HUUUUMMMM...Me thinks if you don't break the law, you will not have to worry!
SLOW down and SAVE a LIFE, it may be your own. Be NICE and KIND for a change.

[Matt]

Cameras identify tags, not drivers. So in order to win the State gets away with presuming the owner of the car is the driver and guilty and they must prove their innocence!! This is just STUPID!! Same with parking tickets. Who owes the fine, the person who parked illegally, the owner of the car, or the car itself?? I know, dumb logic but, shouldn't they have to have PROOF beyond a reasonable doubt? No, they know too many robots will go pay and not fight the tickets and revenue will increase. Thanks Scott for being brain washed!!!!

[shawn k]

These cameras already are not allowed in Florida. So how do they get around it? They dont issue any points! Its just pure cash. So, since its no points, they skirt the law. Any one who thinks this is a good idea, I GUARANTEE its only a matter of time before Onstar starts giving you a ticket with your on board tracking system that knows how fast you went! But dont worry, no points, just more money!

[Joe]

Not taking point away is the ruse used to justify having the camera not only here but in Iowa as well. The court`s in Iowa found that you can`t be fined for something you have no right to challenge. If the camera takes your picture you will be automatically fined no matter if you`re guilty or not, or the driver of the vehicle. If you are the owner you pay-period. I don`t care for red light runners either but these camera`s are NOT the answer. At some point all the fines will be returned and the camera`s removed. Who do you think comes out the loser then--Do I hear taxpayers?That`s the facts.

[Harry]

Brian in Charlotte, NC, the cameras were found to be unconstitutional because they were not distributing the money that the tickets generated according to the agreement to get the cameras in place in the first place.

See an excerpt from a May 2006 article. Sound familiar, they used schools to get the ok to install.

Authorities in Charlotte, North Carolina have switched off their red light and speed camera units. The move stems from a May 16 decision by the NC state appeals court directing some 90 percent of proceeds to state schools, not to the city or the company that operates the cameras.

[Greg]

4:59pm is right...it's all about generating revenue...

another waste of taxpayer's dollars...they should be cutting out all unnecessary spending. probably the same stupid people who spent $400K for an ugly statue in front of the Federal courthouse.

[Harry]

Greg, it's a private company that handles and maintains the cameras via a contract with the city/county. It has nothing to do with taxpayer's $$$$$.

You are correct on the revenue generation and it does slow down the red light runners.