Red light camera bill signed by Governor Crist

Governor Charlie Crist today signed the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, creating uniform standards for the use of cameras as traffic enforcement devices. Cameras will give law enforcement an additional resource to help combat red-light running in Florida. A portion of the funds from traffic violations will go to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund and the Department of Health Administrative Trust Fund, which supports trauma centers. To read House Bill 325, the Uniform Traffic Act, click here.

The Governor plans to hold a ceremonial bill signing in the near future with Melissa Wandall, wife of Mark Wandall, the legislation’s namesake who was killed by a red-light runner in 2003.

“Today I was pleased to sign a bill that will save the lives of Floridians.  The legislation provides law enforcement with another effective tool to enforce safe and responsible driving on our roads,” said Crist. “I am grateful to bill sponsors Senator Thad Altman and Representative Ron Reagan for their tremendous work in getting this legislation approved by both the House and the Senate.  I also commend Melissa Wandall, whose determination and perseverance, along with the strong support of the law enforcement community, was instrumental in the passage of this law.”

Under the new bill, which goes into effect July1, violators could receive a $158 ticket in the mail if a camera installed a light intersection catches the vehicle running a red light. The registered owner of the vehicle would get the ticket, regardless of who was driving the car. Analysis by state officials have put a $1 million dollar price tag on tickets by 2013 on an annual basis. Of the $158,$100 will go to the state general revenue fund, $10 to Dept. of Health Administrative Trust fund, $3 to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust fund and $45 goes to the municipality where the violation occurred.

During it’s May 4 meeting, the Fort Lauderdale commission deferred a decision on installing red-light cameras in the city. Currently, the city of Davie is considering the idea of red light cameras while Pembroke Pines and Hallandale Beach already have them installed.

However, a judge in Miami (according to this CBS4 story) recently ruled the entire red light camera program in the city of Aventura illegal. Aventura reportedly collected more than a million dollars in the first ten months of operating the red-light cameras.

Related posts:

1. Bill in Florida Legislature would ban red light cameras
2. Red light cameras go live in August at 9 Fort Lauderdale lights
3. Crist Signs Bill for Child Safety laws and Sexual Predators
4. Governor Crist Signs Legislation to Enhance Transparency in Private Attorney Contracting
5. Extended unemployment compensation heads to Crist for approval

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Posted by AdamF on May 14 2010. Filed under Broward County, Davie, Fire/police, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale, Local news, Pembroke Pines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry