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Cameras Have Green Light

Tribune file photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ (2007)

A trial run of a new red-light camera at this Pasco County intersection is almost over. Tickets will start being issued in the next few days to those who run the red light at U.S. 19 and Ridge Road.

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By RICH SHOPES

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 23, 2008

The red-light camera era is about to begin in the Tampa Bay area.

Local governments that have been eyeing the technology for months have now identified 19 intersections where they want cameras installed.

The first tickets that count - the ones that carry a fine - should start being issued within the next few days.

They will be sent to those who run the red light at U.S. 19 and Ridge Road in Pasco County.

"We've heard nothing but positive comments," said Lt. Dave Brown of the Port Richey Police Department after a 30-day trial run using cameras there found no problems.

The trial ended Friday.

"We're hoping to go live as soon as possible, maybe this week," he said.

Port Richey's camera will be the region's first but soon will have plenty of company.

Hillsborough County is considering 10 intersections for the cameras and will seek bidders in a month or so to install and maintain them, said Cpl. Rob Rodriguez of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Temple Terrace is considering three intersections and Brooksville five.

Most of the cameras will begin operating in the next two or three months.

Police are turning to the technology because stationing officers 24/7 at intersections is cost-prohibitive.

High-speed cameras atop poles monitor the action, and companies handle most of the work, splitting the fines with cities and police departments.

In tight fiscal times, the cameras are easy on governments' wallets because they don't cost anything to install or maintain.

Those costs are absorbed by the companies.

Hillsborough approved its camera program last month and Temple Terrace a couple of weeks ago.

Brooksville's City Council voted 5-0 in favor of the cameras Monday.

"We're trying to get the most out of our budget and it just works out," Brooksville Police Chief George Turner said. "Budgets are tight."

About 250 cities nationwide use the cameras, but they've been slow to spread in Florida because of a state law against using cameras to enforce traffic laws.

Florida cities have found a loophole by passing ordinances - instead of traffic laws - that allow police to issue nonmoving violations to red-light runners caught on camera.

So far, the technology has shown up in Gulf Breeze, Apopka, Pembroke Pines and Orlando.

The technology also has its share of critics.

A University of South Florida associate professor issued a report last month that concluded rear-end collisions increase at intersections with the cameras because drivers slam on their brakes to avoid getting ticketed.

Others, including the executive director at Center for Urban Transportation Research, also at USF, say more evidence points to the cameras' effectiveness in reducing dangerous accidents.

Brown said the 30-day trial run at Ridge Road and U.S. 41 in Pasco County saw no increase in crashes, including rear-enders.

"I have not noticed any uptick in that at all," he said.

Violators received warning notices in the mail during the trial period. In the next week or so officers will begin issuing actual violations.

Police review each notice before the notices are sent out. Included are three photos showing the vehicle entering and leaving the intersection and an Internet address where violators can watch a 12-second video of the infraction.

Fines are $125 and can be appealed to a magistrate. No points are assessed against licenses.

"All I want people to do is be accountable and obey the traffic laws," Brown said. "This is about public safety."

LOOKING AT YOU

These Hillsborough County intersections have been recommended for red-light cameras:

•Anderson Road and Waters Avenue

•Waters Avenue and Hanley Road

•Waters Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway

•Waters Avenue and Sheldon Road

•Gunn Highway and Anderson/Lynn roads

•Dale Mabry Highway and Bearss Avenue/Ehrlich Road

•Sligh and Habana avenues

•Providence Road and Lumsden Road

•Brandon Boulevard and Brandon Town Center Drive

•Causeway Boulevard and Falkenburg Road

•Fowler Avenue and 56tht Street (Temple Terrace)

•Busch Boulevard and 56th Street (Temple Terrace)

•Whiteway Drive and 56th Street (Temple Terrace)

Sources: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, City of Temple Terrace

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or at rshopes@tampatrib.com.

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