Our Observation

The fate of the cameras snapping photos of drivers blowing off red lights will soon be decided, as some Florida lawmakers are rethinking their decision last session to legalize the devices.

A bill that would outlaw red-light running cameras passed in a House committee last month and soon the state’s final decision will be made. Meanwhile, activists against the cameras are ensuring their voices are heard.

On Tuesday, a small group of Orange County residents protested the cameras, saying local governments only installed them to make money, not save lives. Similar protests have been taking place throughout the state over the last several months.

It’s true that these little electronic tattletales are green machines. In the first year, the state estimated the traffic tickets, which cost $158 a pop and are sent in the mail to drivers caught running red lights, would generate nearly $30 million for the state and more than $10 million for local governments. Now estimates say $100 million will be generated for the state and $75 million for local governments over two years.

Seven local governments currently use the cameras, and 10 cameras have been activated in Orange County. Cameras are strategically placed at traffic intersections deemed the most traveled and most dangerous. Reports show that in only two weeks, 3,000 red light runners received tickets in Orange County. That’s a lot of moola.

In a struggling economy, doesn’t it make sense to support these cash cows that are designed to make our local roads safer?

Reports say red-light running crashes are some of the most dangerous and, though it’s tempting to breeze through an intersection when there seems to be enough time on the yellow light, knowing cameras are there is a huge deterrent.

Camera opponents argue that extending the duration of the yellow light dramatically decreases the number of accidents and that the devices increase the number of rear-end collisions as drivers will slam on their brakes when the light flashes yellow.

A University of South Florida study indicated a rise in rear-end impacts at intersections where the cameras were installed and showed that accidents caused by red-light runners have already been on the decline nationwide for the last decade.

But according to Orange County, the cameras will not issue a ticket to those drivers entering the intersection on a yellow light, even if the light turns red while the car is still passing through. Tickets are only issued to those vehicles entering the intersection on a red light.

It’s too early to really know whether these cameras are making our roads safer. Let’s give them a fair shake before tearing them down.