Red Light Cameras Aren't Perfect

Some drivers in Temple Terrace, Florida are not happy!!  More than 7,000 drivers were cited for running red lights in Temple Terrace since the city installed new cameras in mid October.  However, according to a report from tampabays10.com, 30% of the tickets were tossed by the city.

Although making a right turn on red is legal in Florida, the law requires the driver to come to a full stop before turning.  Rolling through the intersection will result in a ticket.

Some critics says that the new cameras are just a way for the city to generate revenue.  Since the cameras were installed on Oct. 16, the city has sent out 4,787 citations at $100 each. At the current rate, the city would make $2.4-million dollars in the first year of operation.  The city gets 60 percent of the money from citations, while the company that owns the cameras gets the rest.

The cameras remain controversial.  Seven states have banned the use of the cameras and there have been studies that concluded that cameras actually increased the number of car accidents and the severity of the car accidents at the intersections where the cameras were installed.  One of these studies were conducted by the Virginia Department of Transportation.  The Washington Post also performed an investigation of the red light cameras which you may find interesting.

Personally, as a Personal Injury Attorney, I think anything that could stop people from running red lights is a good thing.  Too many good people get hurt in these car accidents.

To contact Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes to discuss your rights after a Florida car accident or workers' comp claim, simply click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes.