HomeMy WebLinkAboutH-4 Ordinance: Red Light InfractionsCity of 9Kiami C'j. ardens
1515-200 NW 167th Street
Miami Gardens, Florida 33169
Agenda Cover Pa~e
Date: October 24, 2007
Fiscal Impact: No x Yes
(If yes, explain in Staff Summary)
Funding Source:
Contract/P.O. Requirement: Yes x No^
Sponsor Name/Department: D.Crew
Mayor Shirley Gibson
Vice Mayor Oscar Braynon II
Councilman Melvin L. Bratton
Councilman Aaron Campbell Jr.
Councilwoman Sharon Pritchett
Councilwoman Barbara Watson
Councilman Andre Williams
Public hearing ^ Quasi-Judicial ^
Ordinance x
Resolution ^
1 st Reading x 2nd Reading ^
Advertising requirement: Yes ^ No x
RFP/RFQBid # n/a
T~tte
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS CREATING REGULATIONS
FOR DANGEROUS INTERSECTION; PROVIDING FOR INTENT AND DEFINITIONS; ESTABLISHING AN
ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM WITHIN THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO PERMIT AND IMPLEMENT
THE USE OF UNMANNED CAMERAS/MONITORING DEVICES FOR RED LIGHT INFRACTIONS;
PROVIDING ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE; PROVIDING FOR APPEALS;
PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES; PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTIONS;
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR
INCLUSION IN CODE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Staff Summarv
Last month, staff made a presentation on starting a red light camera program in Miami
Gardens. Several other Florida cities have also begun such a program including
Pembroke Pines and Aventura locally. Prior to hiring a firm to administer such a
program, the City must first enact appropriate code provisions facilitating the use of these
devices. The attached ordinance provides the necessary code changes and adds
provisions for the processing of tickets and appeals.
At a future meeting, staff will bring a recommended contract with a vendor for City
Council's consideration; however, at this time, Council is only being asked to establish
the program. As indicated when this item came before Council, there is still some
questions as to whether cities can actually do this, although many are now starting.
H-4) ORDINANCE
1ST READING
RED LIGHT INFRACTIONS
When we award a contract for the actual operation, I will be putting all revenue received
into a reserve account not to be used for the budget. This would be in the event that we
are ordered to repay the funds. If and when some court finally rules on it, we can use the
money at that time. In the meantime, we are taking positive action to change deriving
behavior and saving lives and injuries.
Recommendation:
That City Council approve the red-light camera enabling ordinance on first reading.
Ordinance No.
1 ORDINANCE 2007-
2
3 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
4 GARDENS CREATING REGULATIONS FOR DANGEROUS
5 INTERSECTION; PROVIDING FOR INTENT AND DEFINITIONS;
6 ESTABLISHING AN ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM WITHIN THE CITY;
'7 AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO PERMIT AND IMPLEMENT THE USE OF
g UNMANNED CAMERAS/MONITORING DEVICES FOR RED LIGHT
9 INFRACTIONS; PROVIDING ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES;
10 PROVIDING FOR NOTICE; PROVIDING FOR APPEALS; PROVIDING
11 FOR PENALTIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES; PROVIDING FOR
12 EXCEPTIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT;
13 PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION
14 IN CODE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
15
16 WHEREAS, the City of Miami Gardens ("City") is located in a high density traffic
17 area and regularly experiences traffic incidents related to the failure of motorists to obey
18 duly erected traffic control devices, which exposes its citizens to the dangers of
19 personal injury and property damage, and
20 WHEREAS, the City Council is concerned with the inability to sufficiently enforce
21 the State Statute prohibiting running of red lights, due mainly to the requirement that
22 enforcement of the State Statute requires the personal observation of police officers,
23 affecting the ability to effectively reduce the significant dangers presented to motorists
24 and pedestrians by the failure to stop for a red light, and,
25 WHEREAS, the use of unmanned cameras to enforce toll violations on the state's
26 toll roads has been determined to be fair, reasonable and sufficient by the State of
27 Florida in order to effectively enforce laws regulating the payment of tolls without the
28 need to commit the extreme amount of personnel that would be necessary without the
29 use of unmanned cameras, and,
30 WHEREAS, similarly, the use of unmanned cameras will be effective in enforcing
31 laws requiring vehicles to stop for red lights; therefore freeing City police personnel to
1
Ordinance No.
1 respond to other, and sometimes more, significant incidents as well as serious crime,
2 and,
3 WHEREAS, local governments in different parts of the state and country have
4 demonstrated the enhancement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic safety attributable to
5 the integration of automated image capture technologies with traditional traffic law
6 enforcement methodology, and
7 WHEREAS, §316.008, Florida Statutes, grants municipalities, with respect to
8 streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of
9 police power, authority to regulate and monitor traffic by means of police officers and
10 security devices, and
11 WHEREAS, the City of Miami Gardens has home rule authority pursuant to
12 Article VII, Section 2 of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, to
13 enact an ordinance making the failure to stop for a red light indication a violation of the
14 City's Code of Ordinances, and to provide for enforcement of such violations of the
15 City's Code of Ordinances through the use of the City's Code Enforcement Special
16 Masters, and,
17 WHEREAS, Attorney General Opinion 05-41, dated July 12, 2005, confirms the
18 authority of the City to enact an ordinance making the failure to stop at a red light
19 indication a violation of the City's Code of Ordinances, to use unmanned cameras to
20 monitor intersections in the City for such violations of the City's Code, and to record the
21 license tag numbers of vehicles involved in such violations, and,
22 WHEREAS, the Attorney General has opined that the City may not issue traffic
23 citations under the State Statutes to drivers for violations observed by the use of
2
Ordinance No.
1 unmanned cameras and not otherwise observed by police officers, and,
2 WHEREAS, in order to be consistent with state law and the Attorney General's
3 Opinion, the City will issue City Notices of Violations to registered owners of vehicles,
4 will not utilize the uniform traffic citation prescribed by Chapter 316, and will not
5 prosecute offenses of its City ordinance through county court, and,
6 WHEREAS, the City Council finds it to be fair and reasonable to use the same
7 procedure used by the state to enforce toll violations through unmanned cameras, to
8 provide alleged violators with the opportunity to have a hearing within the City using the
9 City's Code Enforcement Special Magistrates and the City's code enforcement
10 procedures adopted pursuant to Chapter 162, Florida Statutes, and set forth in
11 Ordinance No. 2004-11-27, as amended, and,
12 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Miami Gardens finds that
13 implementation of the enforcement program as set forth herein will promote, protect and
14 improve the health, safety and welfare of its citizens, consistent with the authority of and
15 limitations on the City pursuant to the Florida Constitution and Florida statutes,
16 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
17 OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA:
18 SECTION 1. ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: The foregoing Whereas
19 Clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true, and the same are hereby
20 made a specific part of this Ordinance.
21 SECTION 2. CREATION OF THE ORDINANCE: An ordinance of the City of
22 Miami Gardens, Florida, creating regulations for Dangerous Intersections is hereby
23 created to read as follows:
3
Ordinance No.
2 A. Intent.
3
4 The purpose of this Ordinance is to authorize the use of an unmanned
5 camera/monitoring system to promote compliance with red light signal directives as
6 proscribed by this Ordinance, and to adopt a civil enforcement system for red light
7 signal violations. This Ordinance will also supplement law enforcement personnel in the
8 enforcement of red light signal violations and shall not prohibit law enforcement officers
9 from issuing a citation for a red light signal violation in accordance with normal statutory
10 traffic enforcement techniques.
11
12 B. Use of Image Capture Technologies.
13
14 The City shall utilize image capture technologies as a supplemental means of
15 monitoring compliance with laws related to traffic control signals, while assisting law
16 enforcement personnel in the enforcement of such laws. which are designed to protect
17 and improve public health, safety and welfare. This Ordinance shall not supersede,
18 infringe, curtail or impinge upon state laws related to red light signal violations or conflict
19 with such laws. The City shall utilize image capture technologies as an ancillary
20 deterrent to traffic control signal violations and to thereby reduce accidents and injuries
21 associated with such violations. Notices of Infractions issued pursuant to this Ordinance
22 shall be addressed using the City's own Special Magistrates and not uniform traffic
23 citations or county courts.
24
25
26 C. Definitions.
27
28 The following definitions shall apply to this Ordinance:
29
30 1. Intersection shall mean the area embraced within the prolongation or
31 connection of the lateral curb line; or, if none, then the lateral boundary
32 lines, of the roadways of two roads which join or intersect one another at,
33 or approximately at, right angles; or the area within which vehicles
34 traveling upon different roads joining at any other angle may come in
35 conflict.
36
37 2. Motor vehic% shall mean any self-propelled vehicle not operated upon
38 rails or guideways, but not including any bicycle, motorized scooter,
39 electric personal assisted mobility device, or moped.
40
41 3. Notice of lnfraction shall mean a citation issued for a red zone infraction,
42
43 4. Owner/vehic% Owner shall mean the person or entity identified by the
44 Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, or other state vehicle registration
45 office, as the registered owner of a vehicle. Such term shall also mean a
46 lessee of a motor vehicle pursuant to a lease of six months or more.
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5. Recorded Images shall mean images recorded by a traffic control signal
monitoring system/device on:
a. Two or more photographs, or
Two or more electronic images; or
Two or more digital images; or
Digital or Video movies; or
Any other medium that can display a violation; and
b. Showing the rear of a motor vehicle and on at least one image,
clearly identifying the license plate number of the vehicle.
6. Red Zone infraction shall mean a traffic offense whereby a traffic control
signal monitoring system established that a vehicle entered an intersection
controlled by a duly erected traffic control device at a time when the traffic
control signal for such vehicle's direction of travel was emitting a steady
red signal.
7. Special Master shall mean the City's Code Enforcement Special Master.
8. Traffic Control Signal shall mean a device exhibiting different colored lights
or colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination,
using only the colors green, yellow, and red which indicate and apply to
drivers of motor vehicles as provided in Florida Statutes §316.075,
9. Traffic Control Signal Monitoring System/Device shall mean an electronic
system consisting of one or more vehicle sensors, working in conjunction
with a traffic control signal, still camera and video recording device, to
capture and produce recorded images of motor vehicles entering an
intersection against a steady red light signal indication.
D. Adherence to Red Light Traffic Control Signals.
Motor vehicle traffic facing a traffic control signal's steady red light indication shall
stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of an intersection or if none, then
before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until a green indication is
shown on the traffic control signal. However, the driver of a vehicle that is stopped at a
clearly marked stop line, or if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of
the intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where
the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering
the intersection in obedience of a steady red traffic control signal, may make a right
turn (unless such turn is otherwise prohibited by posted sign or other traffic control
device) but shall yield right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as
directed by the traffic control signal at the intersection.
5
Ordinance No.
1 E. Violation.
2
3 A violation of this Ordinance, known as a Red Zone Infraction, shall occur when a
4 vehicle does not comply with the requirements of Section G. Violations shall be
5 enforced pursuant to paragraph (7) herein.
6
7 F. Six-month notice: introductory period.
8
9 For the first two months of this Ordinance, unless the driver of a vehicle received
10 a citation from a police officer at the time of a Red Zone Infraction in accordance with
11 normal traffic enforcement techniques, the vehicle owner shall receive a courtesy notice
12 of the violation. Commencing finro months after the effective date of the Ordinance, the
13 vehicle owner is subject to the enforcement provision as provided herein.
14
15 G. Review of Recorded Images.
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17 1. The owner of the vehicle, which is observed by Recorded Images
18 committing a Red Zone Infraction, shall be issued a Notice of infraction.
19 The Recorded Image shall be sufficient grounds to issue a City Notice of
20 Infraction.
21
22 2. The City shall designate a Traffic Control Infraction Review Officer(s), who
23 shall meet the qualifications set forth in §316.640(5)(A), Florida Statutes,
24 or any other relevant statute. The Traffic Control Infraction Review
25 Officer(s) shall review Recorded Images prior to the issuance of a Notice
26 of Violation/Infraction to ensure accuracy and the integrity of the Recorded
27 Images. The Traffic Control Infraction Officer(s) shall also verify that the
28 Traffic Control Monitoring System/Devices that captured the Recorded
29 Images was functioning properly at the time the Recorded Images were
30 captured. Once the Traffic Control Infraction Review Officer has verified
31 the accuracy of the Recorded Images and functionality of the Traffic
32 Control Monitoring System/Devices, he or she shall complete a report, and
33 a Notice of Violation/Infraction shall be sent to the Vehicle Owner at the
34 address on record with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and
35 Motor Vehicles.
36
37 H. Notice of Violation/Infraction.
38
39 The Notice of Violation/Infraction shall include:
40
41 1. The name and address of the vehicle owner
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43 2. The license Plate number and registration number of the vehicle
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45 3. The make, model, and year of the vehicle
46
6
Ordinance No.
1 4. Notice that the violation charged is pursuant to this Ordinance
2
3 5. The location of the intersection where the violation occurred
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5 6. The date and time of the red zone infraction
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7 7. Notice that the Recorded Images relating to the vehicle and a statement
g that the recorded images are evidence of a red zone infraction:
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10 8. The civil penalty imposed
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12 9. Images depicting violation
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14 10. The procedures for payment of the civil penalty and contesting the notice
15 of infraction
16
17 11. A signed statement by the Traffic Control Infraction Officer that, based on
1 g inspection of recorded images, the vehicle was involved in a Red Zone
19 Infraction
20
21 12. Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this Section, the
22 manner and time in which liability as alleged in the Notice of Infraction
23 may be appealed and warning that failure to pay the civil penalty or to
24 contest liability in a timely manner is an admission of liability.
25
26 I. Vehicle Owner Responsibilities.
27
28 A vehicle Owner receiving a Notice of Infraction may, within twenty one (21) days
29 of the date of the Notice of Infraction:
30
31 1. Pay the assessed civit pena~ty pursuant to instructions on the notice of
32 infraction; or
33
34 2. Request an appeal pursuant with procedures as outlined in this
35 Ordinance.
36
37
38 The failure to comply with the provisions of this Section within twenty-one days
39 from the date of the Notice of Infraction shall constitute a waiver of the right to contest
40 the Notice of Infraction and will be considered an admission.
41
42 J. Appeal to Special Master.
43
44 1. The City's Code Enforcement Special Magistrates are authorized to
45 consider appeals under this Chapter within finrenty one (21) days of the
46 date of the Notice of Infraction; the Vehicle Owner may file an appeal with
7
Ordinance No.
1 the City pursuant to the directions in the Notice of Infraction. A hearing on
2 the appeal shall be scheduled for all appeals except those in which the
3 Vehicle Owner submits an affidavit pursuant to Section K of this Ordinance
4 in which the Vehicle Owner affirms under penalty of perjury that the
5 vehicle was not under his or her care, custody or control, or that of
6 someone with Vehicle Owner's consent.
7
8
9 2. Upon receipt of the appeal, the City shall schedule a hearing before the
10 Special Master to occur not later than sixty (60) days after City's receipt of
11 the appeal. A Notice of Hearing shall be provided to the Vehicle Owner no
12 less than ten (10) days prior to the hearing, and shall be provided by
13 certified and U.S. mail to the same address to which the Notice of
14 Infraction was sent.
15
16 3. The following shall be permissible grounds for an appeal:
17
18 a. At the time of the infraction, the vehicle was not under the care,
19 custody, pr control of the Vehicle Owner or an individual with
20 Vehicle Owner's consent, established pursuant to affidavit as
21 provided in Section K of this Ordinance.
22
23 b. The motor vehicle driver was issued a citation by a law enforcement
24 officer, which was separate and distinct from the citation issued
25 under this Section, for violating the steady red traffic control signal
26
2'1 c. The motor vehicle driver was required to violate the steady red
28 traffic control signal In order to comply with other governing laws
29
30 d. The motor vehicle driver was required to violate the steady red
31 traffic control signal in order to reasonably protect the property or
32 person of another
33
34 e. The steady red traffic control signal was inoperable or
35 malfunctioning: or
36
37 f. Any other reason the Special Master deems appropriate.
38
39
40 4. The hearing shall be conduction in accordance with Ordinance No. 2004-
41 11-27, as amended.
42
43 5. Recorded Images indicating a Red Zone Infraction, verified by the Traffic
44 Control Infraction Review Officer, are admissible in any proceeding before
45 the City's Special Master to enforce the provisions of this Chapter. and
46 shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation.
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6. Unless an affidavit is provided pursuant to Section K of this Ordinance, it
is presumed the person registered as the vehicle owner with the Florida
Department of Motor Vehicles or any other state vehicle registration office,
or an individual having the owner's consent, was operating the vehicle at
the time of a Red Zone Infraction.
K. Vehicle Owner Affidavit of Non-responsibility.
In order to for the Vehicle Owner to establish that the motor vehicle was at the
time of the Red Zone Infraction, in the care, custody, or control of another person
without the consent of the registered owner, the Vehicle Owner is required, within
twenty-one (21) days from the date listed on the Notice of Infraction, to furnish to the
City, an affidavit setting forth the circumstances demonstrating that the motor vehicle
was not in the Vehicle Owner's care custody or control, or that of a person with Vehicle
Owner's consent. The affidavit must be executed in the presence of a notary, and
include:
a If known to the Vehicle Owner, the name, address, and the driver license
number of the person who leased, rented or otherwise had care, custody,
or control of the motor vehicle at the time of the alleged Red Zone
Infraction; or
b If the vehicle was stolen, the police report indicating the vehicle was stolen
at the time of the alleged Red Zone Infraction.
c The following language immediately above the signature line:
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing affidavit
and that the facts stated in it are true."
d. Upon receipt of an affidavit pursuant to this section, any prosecution of the
Notice of Infraction issued to the vehicle owner shall be terminated.
L. Penalties.
A violation of this Ordinance shall be deemed a non-criminal, non-moving
violation for which a civil penalty in the amount of $125.00 shall be assessed. As the
violation relates to this Ordinance and not the State Statutes, no points as provided in §
322.27, Florida Statutes, shall be recorded on the driving record of the vehicle owner or
responsible party.
M. Administrative Charges.
In addition to the assessment, administrative charges may be assessed in the
event of an appeal or the necessity to institute collection procedures.
9
Ordinance No.
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3 N. Collection of Fines.
4
5 The City may collect a penalty in accordance with Florida Statutes and the City's
6 Code Enforcement Procedures. In addition, the City may enforce such penalty by civil
7 action in the nature of debt,
8
9 O. Exceptions.
10
11 This Ordinance shall not apply to Red Zone Infractions involving vehicle
12 collisions or to any authorized emergency vehicle responding to a bona tide emergency;
13 nor shall a Notice of Infraction be issued in any case where the operator of the vehicle
14 was issued a citation for violating the State Statute regarding the failure to stop at a red
15 light indication.
16
17 SECTION 3. CONFLICT All ordinances or Code provisions in conflict herewith are
18 hereby repealed.
19 SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase
20 or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court
21 of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and
22 independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining
23 portions of this Ordinance.
24 SECTION 5. INCLUSION IN THE CODE It is the intention of the City Council of
25 the City of Miami Gardens that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made
26 a part of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Miami Gardens and that the sections of this
27 Ordinance may be renumbered or relettered and the word "Ordinance" may be changed to
28 "Chapter," "Section," "Article" or such other appropriate word or phrase, the use of which
29 shall accomplish the intentions herein expressed; provided, however, that Section 1 hereof
30 or the provisions contemplated thereby shall not be codified.
31 SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall become effective
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immediately upon its final passage.
PASSED ON FIRST READING ON THE 24T" DAY OF OCTOBER, 2007.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on second reading this day of , 2007
ATTEST:
RONEI7A TAYLOR, CMC, CITY CLERK
Reviewed by SONJA K. DICKENS ESQ.
City Attorney
SHIRLEY GIBSON, MAYOR
SPONSORED BY: Dannv O. Crew, Citv Manaqer
MOVED BY:
SECONDED BY:
VOTE:
Mayor Shirley Gibson
Vice Mayor Barbara Watson
Councilman Melvin L. Bratton
Councilman Aaron Campbell
Councilman Oscar Braynon, II
Councilman Andre Williams
Councilwoman Sharon Pritchett
(Yes) (No)
(Yes) (No)
(Yes) (No)
(Yes) (No)
(Yes) (No)
(Yes) (No)
(Yes) (No)
11
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Police: Red Light Cameras Slowing Drivers
Sun Sep 16, 2:54 PM ET
Local efforts to catch and ticket red light runners are paying off.
Apopka police said they are slowing dangerous traffic and making pedestrians and other drivers safer ever since installing
cameras at the city's busiest intersection, WESH 2 News reported.
Since police began issuing tickets using cameras at Park Avenue and U.S. Highway 441, more than 550 people have gotten
notices in the mail, ordering them to pay up, officials said.
Police said the cameras are making streets safer.
"Throughout Apopka, at all the intersections, at all the traffic lights, people are starting to stop, slow down for yellow," Kim
Walsh with the Apopka Police Department said. "We have discussed it among ourselves as o~cers that we are seeing so
many more people beginning to prepare to stop for a red instead of accelerating toward a red."
The fine for running a red light is $125.
Orlando is joining Apopka in cracking down on red light runners and will have 10 cameras installed by the end of the year.
Copyright O 2007 WESH NewsChanne12000.com.
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of 1 9/18/2007 9:24 AM
Floridians Support Red Light Cameras
Bradenton, FL (September 5, 2007) - Several cities throughout the state of Florida have
begun installing red light running photo enforcement safety programs in an effort to
increase traffic and pedestrian safety within their community.
And that's just fine with Florida citizens, according to a poll commissioned this summer
by Florida's STOP! Red Light Running Coalition, an organization dedicated to making
citizens aware of the red light running problem and provide ways to act upon this crisis
through legislation, enforcement and education.
Last week's survey collected responses fram citizens throughout the state and found that
82 percent Florida residents said that red light running is a problem according to the poll,
which was conducted by Telephone Contact Inc. Seven out of 10 stated they felt that red
light running was "very severe."
More than 85 percent of Florida residents support the installation and operation of red
light cameras at the most dangerous intersections, with 50 percent saying they "strongly
support" the red light cameras. Additionally, 85 percent were in support of State
legislation supporting red light camera enforcement programs throughout communities in
Florida.
"Some of the most serious crashes that occur at major intersections involve red light
violations," according to Melissa Wandall, of Stop! Red Light Running Coalition of
Florida. "It's good to know that citizens support our efforts to increase traffic safety
through photo enforcement. Our ultimate goal is to change driver behavior, save lives
and reduce injuries." Melissa's husband, Mark Wandall was killed by a vehicle that ran a
red light in October of 2003.
In an effort to encourage and show support for pending legislation to support red light
camera programs throughout the State, the Coalition, along with community leaders,
business and State legislators are meeting to organize, plan and promote red light
enforcement legislation. State Representative Ron Reagan will be attending the meeting
as well. Rep. Reagan is the author of the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act.
The Stop Red Light Running Coalition meeting will take place at the Sheraton Suites
Tampa Airport, in Tampa on September 12t" where legislative priorities will be discussed
with invited stakeholders include victims, elected officials, law enforcers, EMT and
trauma care professionals, and business groups.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, more than
43 percent of statewide fatalities and serious injuries happen at intersections or are
influenced by intersections. In 2004, Florida led the nation in the number of people
killed in crashes at intersections.
A surprising result, which further illustrates the broad impacts of red light running, is that
35 percent of those polled indicated that they or someone they knew had been involved in
a collision as a result of red light running.
More information about the meeting is available by contacting Stephen Cline at:
(850) 681-0254 or stephencline(a),hotmail.com.
Contact: Melissa Wandall, Stop! Red Light Running Coalition of Florida,
www.floridastopsonred.or~, Phone: +1-941-545-3359, email:
Melissa@TheMarkWandallFoundation.com
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